Lactate jump-starts mTORC1 in cancer cells

Abstract

The kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a major regulatory hub that senses and integrates nutrient, energy, and growth factor inputs to promote cell growth. In this issue of EMBO Reports, Byun et al [1] report that high intracellular levels of lactate activate mTORC1 in KRAS transformed cells independently of a growth factor input. This suggests a mechanism for how mTORC1 can be co‐opted to support oncogenic growth and proliferation.