Superhero Rictor promotes cellular differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells

Cell Death Differ. 2019 May;26(5):958-968. doi: 10.1038/s41418-018-0177-5. Epub 2018 Aug 28.

Abstract

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine. To harness the full therapeutic potential of ESCs, better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance and differentiation of ESCs is required. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that integrates growth factor receptor signaling with cellular growth and proliferation. Dysregulation of mTOR signaling has been linked to various human diseases including cancer and metabolic syndromes. However, little is known regarding the function of mTOR signaling in the regulation of ES cell differentiation. Here we report that Rictor, a key component of mTORC2, functions as a novel ES cell differentiation promoting factor. Mechanistically, Rictor is able to interact with Prkch and facilitate Prkch phosphorylation at Ser-642. Upon phosphorylation, Prkch promotes Klf4 phosphorylation and inhibits Klf4-dependent E-cadherin expression, thereafter leading to the ES cell differentiation. These findings reveal a novel Rictor-Prkch-Klf4 pathway that plays an important role in the regulation of ES cell differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / genetics
  • Phosphorylation / genetics
  • Protein Kinase C / genetics*
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics

Substances

  • KLF4 protein, human
  • Klf4 protein, mouse
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein
  • rictor protein, mouse
  • protein kinase C eta
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Protein Kinase C