Department of Biotechnology
inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine)

Anabolic SIRT4 Exerts Retrograde Control over TORC1 Signaling by Glutamine Sparing in the Mitochondria.

Publication Type

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Date of Publication

January 3, 2020

Journal

Molecular and cellular biology

Volume/Issue

40/2

ISSN

1098-5549

Anabolic and catabolic signaling mediated via mTOR and AMPK (AMP-activated kinase) have to be intrinsically coupled to mitochondrial functions for maintaining homeostasis and mitigate cellular/organismal stress. Although glutamine is known to activate mTOR, whether and how differential mitochondrial utilization of glutamine impinges on mTOR signaling has been less explored. Mitochondrial SIRT4, which unlike other sirtuins is induced in a fed state, is known to inhibit catabolic signaling/pathways through the AMPK-PGC1α/SIRT1-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) axis and negatively regulate glutamine metabolism via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. However, physiological significance of SIRT4 functions during a fed state is still unknown. Here, we establish SIRT4 as key anabolic factor that activates TORC1 signaling and regulates lipogenesis, autophagy, and cell proliferation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the ability of SIRT4 to inhibit anaplerotic conversion of glutamine to α-ketoglutarate potentiates TORC1. Interestingly, we also show that mitochondrial glutamine sparing or utilization is critical for differentially regulating TORC1 under fed and fasted conditions. Moreover, we conclusively show that differential expression of SIRT4 during fed and fasted states is vital for coupling mitochondrial energetics and glutamine utilization with anabolic pathways. These significant findings also illustrate that SIRT4 integrates nutrient inputs with mitochondrial retrograde signals to maintain a balance between anabolic and catabolic pathways.

Alternate Journal

Mol Cell Biol

PubMed ID

31685549

PubMed Central ID

PMC6944470

Authors

Eisha Shaw
Manasi Talwadekar
Zeenat Rashida
Nitya Mohan
Aishwarya Acharya
Subhash Khatri
Sunil Laxman
Ullas Kolthur-Seetharam

Keywords

Male
Mitochondrial Proteins
Humans
Sirtuins
HEK293 Cells
Mitochondria
Cells, Cultured
Animals
Hep G2 Cells
Signal Transduction
Autophagy
Glutamine
Cell Proliferation
Lipogenesis
Mice
Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1