mTORC1 enhancement of STIM1-mediated store-operated Ca2+ entry constrains tuberous sclerosis complex-related tumor development

Oncogene. 2013 Sep 26;32(39):4702-11. doi: 10.1038/onc.2012.481. Epub 2012 Oct 29.

Abstract

The protein complex of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)1 and TSC2 tumor suppressors is a key negative regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Hyperactive mTOR signaling due to the loss-of-function of mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2 gene causes TSC, an autosomal dominant disorder featured with benign tumors in multiple organs. As the ubiquitous second messenger calcium (Ca(2+)) regulates various cellular processes involved in tumorigenesis, we explored the potential role of mTOR in modulation of cellular Ca(2+) homeostasis, and in turn the effect of Ca(2+) signaling in TSC-related tumor development. We found that loss of Tsc2 potentiated store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) in an mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1)-dependent way. The endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) sensor, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), was upregulated in Tsc2-deficient cells, and was suppressed by mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. In addition, SOCE repressed AKT1 phosphorylation. Blocking SOCE either by depleting STIM1 or ectopically expressing dominant-negative Orai1 accelerated TSC-related tumor development, likely because of restored AKT1 activity and enhanced tumor angiogenesis. Our data, therefore, suggest that mTORC1 enhancement of store-operated Ca(2+) signaling hinders TSC-related tumor growth through suppression of AKT1 signaling. The augmented SOCE by hyperactive mTORC1-STIM1 cascade may contribute to the benign nature of TSC-related tumors. Application of SOCE agonists could thus be a contraindication for TSC patients. In contrast, SOCE agonists should attenuate mTOR inhibitors-mediated AKT reactivation and consequently potentiate their efficacy in the treatment of the patients with TSC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channels / genetics
  • Calcium Channels / physiology
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Leiomyoma / pathology
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Multiprotein Complexes / physiology*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / physiopathology
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • RNA Interference
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / physiology
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / genetics
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / metabolism
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / pathology*
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Calcium Channels
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • ORAI1 protein, human
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • STIM1 protein, human
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • TRAF3IP2 protein, human
  • TSC2 protein, human
  • Tsc2 protein, mouse
  • Tsc2 protein, rat
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases