Single serine on TSC2 exerts biased control over mTORC1 activation mediated by ERK1/2 but not Akt

Tuberous sclerosis complex-2 (TSC2) negatively regulates mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), and its activity is reduced by protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular response kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation to activate mTORC1. Serine 1364 (human) on TSC2 bidirectionally modifies mTORC1 activation by pathological growth factors or hemodynamic stress but has no impact on resting activity. We now show this modification biases to ERK1/2 but not Akt-dependent TSC2-mTORC1 activation. Endothelin-1-stimulated mTORC1 requires ERK1/2 activation and is bidirectionally modified by phospho-mimetic (S1364E) or phospho-silenced (S1364A) mutations. However, mTORC1 activation by Akt-dependent stimuli (insulin or PDGF) is unaltered by S1364 modification. Thrombin stimulates both pathways, yet only the ERK1/2 component is modulated by S1364. S1364 also has negligible impact on mTORC1 regulation by energy or nutrient status. In vivo, diet-induced obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver couple to Akt activation and are also unaltered by TSC2 S1364 mutations. This contrasts to prior reports showing a marked impact of both on pathological pressure-stress. Thus, S1364 provides ERK1/2-selective mTORC1 control and a genetic means to modify pathological versus physiological mTOR stimuli.

Automated summary

Serine 1364 on TSC2 plays a role in regulating mTORC1 activation through ERK1/2 phosphorylation but not Akt activation. Phospho-mimetic and phospho-silenced mutations at S1364 both affect mTORC1 activation. S1364 has negligible impact on mTORC1 regulation by energy and nutrient status.