2016 Articles
mTORC1-independent Raptor prevents hepatic steatosis by stabilizing PHLPP2
Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), defined by the presence of Raptor, is an evolutionarily conserved and nutrient-sensitive regulator of cellular growth and other metabolic processes. To date, all known functions of Raptor involve its scaffolding mTOR kinase with substrate. Here we report that mTORC1-independent (‘free’) Raptor negatively regulates hepatic Akt activity and lipogenesis. Free Raptor levels in liver decline with age and in obesity; restoration of free Raptor levels reduces liver triglyceride content, through reduced β-TrCP-mediated degradation of the Akt phosphatase, PHLPP2. Commensurately, forced PHLPP2 expression ameliorates hepatic steatosis in diet-induced obese mice. These data suggest that the balance of free and mTORC1-associated Raptor governs hepatic lipid accumulation, and uncover the potentially therapeutic role of PHLPP2 activators in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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Also Published In
- Title
- Nature Communications
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10255
More About This Work
- Academic Units
- Medicine
- Pathology and Cell Biology
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- Published Here
- September 16, 2016