Essential role of tuberous sclerosis genes TSC1 and TSC2 in NF-kappaB activation and cell survival

Cancer Cell. 2006 Sep;10(3):215-26. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2006.08.007.

Abstract

The TSC1-TSC2 complex has recently been implicated in cell survival responses. We observed that NF-kappaB signaling is attenuated in TSC1- and TSC2-deficient MEFs concomitant with reduced survival following DNA damage or TNFalpha stimulation. Reconstitution of TSC2 expression in TSC2(-/-) MEFs rescued survival in an NF-kappaB activity-dependent manner. Furthermore, in TSC2(-/-) MEFs, the rapamycin-mediated inhibition of deregulated mTOR activity restored NF-kappaB activation and survival. This rapamycin-mediated effect was reversed by inhibition of NF-kappaB transcriptional activation or by inhibition of ERK1/2 MAP kinase or PI-3K pathways, which lie on signaling cascades that lead to NF-kappaB activation. These results provide evidence for a crosstalk between the TSC/Rheb/mTOR pathway and the NF-kappaB induction pathways and indicate that NF-kappaB functions as an important survival factor that regulates TSC2-dependent cell survival.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • DNA Damage
  • Fibroblasts
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain Protein
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / deficiency
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • Neuropeptides
  • RHEB protein, human
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain Protein
  • TSC1 protein, human
  • TSC2 protein, human
  • Tsc1 protein, mouse
  • Tsc2 protein, mouse
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins