Gtr/Ego-independent TORC1 activation is achieved through a glutamine-sensitive interaction with Pib2 on the vacuolar membrane

PLoS Genet. 2018 Apr 26;14(4):e1007334. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007334. eCollection 2018 Apr.

Abstract

TORC1 is a central regulator of cell growth in response to amino acids. The role of the evolutionarily conserved Gtr/Rag pathway in the regulation of TORC1 is well-established. Recent genetic studies suggest that an additional regulatory pathway, depending on the activity of Pib2, plays a role in TORC1 activation independently of the Gtr/Rag pathway. However, the interplay between the Pib2 pathway and the Gtr/Rag pathway remains unclear. In this study, we show that Pib2 and Gtr/Ego form distinct complexes with TORC1 in a mutually exclusive manner, implying dedicated functional relationships between TORC1 and Pib2 or Gtr/Rag in response to specific amino acids. Furthermore, simultaneous depletion of Pib2 and the Gtr/Ego system abolishes TORC1 activity and completely compromises the vacuolar localization of TORC1. Thus, the amino acid-dependent activation of TORC1 is achieved through the Pib2 and Gtr/Ego pathways alone. Finally, we show that glutamine induces a dose-dependent increase in Pib2-TORC1 complex formation, and that glutamine binds directly to the Pib2 complex. These data provide strong preliminary evidence for Pib2 functioning as a putative glutamine sensor in the regulation of TORC1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Glutamine / metabolism*
  • Glutamine / pharmacology
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism*
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Vacuoles / metabolism*

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Gtr1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • MEH1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Pib2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • TORC1 protein complex, Drosophila
  • TORC1 protein complex, S cerevisiae
  • Transcription Factors
  • Glutamine
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins

Grants and funding

Kakenhi 16H01202 https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/grant/KAKENHI-PUBLICLY-16H01202/ and 16K07347 https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-16K07347/ and the Cross-Boundary Innovation Program of Osaka University 26.40.10.7.6 http://www.cbi.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/ supported this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.