Analysis of mTOR signaling by the small G-proteins, Rheb and RhebL1

FEBS Lett. 2005 Aug 29;579(21):4763-8. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.07.054.

Abstract

The small G protein Rheb (Ras homologue enriched in brain) is known to promote mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. In this study, we show that Rheb like-1 protein (RhebL1) rescues mTOR signaling during nutrient withdrawal and that tuberous sclerosis complex-1 (TSC) and TSC2 impairs RhebL1-mediated signaling through mTOR. We identify critical residues within the switch I region (N41) and 'constitutive' effector (Ec) region (Y/F54 and L56) of Rheb and RhebL1, which are required for their efficient activation of mTOR signaling. Mutation of Rheb and RhebL1 at N41 impaired their interaction with mTOR, which identifies mTOR as a common downstream target of both Rheb and RhebL1.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism*
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain Protein
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Neuropeptides
  • RHEB protein, human
  • RHEBL1 protein, human
  • Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain Protein
  • Repressor Proteins
  • TSC2 protein, human
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Protein Kinases
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins
  • ras Proteins