Cell-type-dependent regulation of mTORC1 by REDD1 and the tumor suppressors TSC1/TSC2 and LKB1 in response to hypoxia

Mol Cell Biol. 2011 May;31(9):1870-84. doi: 10.1128/MCB.01393-10. Epub 2011 Mar 7.

Abstract

mTORC1 is a critical regulator of cell growth that integrates multiple signals and is deregulated in cancer. We previously reported that mTORC1 regulation by hypoxia involves Redd1 and the Tsc1/Tsc2 complex. Here we show that Redd1 induction by hypoxia is tissue dependent and that hypoxia signals are relayed to mTORC1 through different pathways in a tissue-specific manner. In the liver, Redd1 induction is restricted to the centrilobular area, and in primary hepatocytes, mTORC1 inhibition by hypoxia is independent of Redd1. Furthermore, Tsc1/Tsc2 and Arnt (Hif-1β) are similarly dispensable. Hypoxia signaling in hepatocytes involves Lkb1, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and raptor. Differences in signal relay extend beyond hypoxia and involve AMPK signaling. AMPK activation (using 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside [AICAR]) induces raptor phosphorylation and inhibits mTORC1 in both mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) and hepatocytes, but whereas mTORC1 inhibition is Tsc1/Tsc2 dependent in MEFs, it is independent in hepatocytes. In liver cells, raptor phosphorylation is essential for both AMPK and hypoxia signaling. Thus, context-specific signals are required for raptor phosphorylation-induced mTORC1 inhibition. Our data illustrate a heretofore unappreciated topological complexity in mTORC1 regulation. Interestingly, topological differences in mTORC1 regulation by the tumor suppressor proteins Lkb1 and Tsc1/Tsc2 may underlie their tissue specificity of tumor suppressor action.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / genetics
  • Hypoxia / metabolism*
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Mice
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Regulatory-Associated Protein of mTOR
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Ddit4 protein, mouse
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Proteins
  • Regulatory-Associated Protein of mTOR
  • Rptor protein, mouse
  • TSC1 protein, human
  • TSC2 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tsc1 protein, mouse
  • Tsc2 protein, mouse
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Stk11 protein, mouse
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases