FOXO-regulated transcription restricts overgrowth of Tsc mutant organs

J Cell Biol. 2008 Feb 25;180(4):691-6. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200710100.

Abstract

FOXO is thought to function as a repressor of growth that is, in turn, inhibited by insulin signaling. However, inactivating mutations in Drosophila melanogaster FOXO result in viable flies of normal size, which raises a question over the involvement of FOXO in growth regulation. Previously, a growth-suppressive role for FOXO under conditions of increased target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway activity was described. Here, we further characterize this phenomenon. We show that tuberous sclerosis complex 1 mutations cause increased FOXO levels, resulting in elevated expression of FOXO-regulated genes, some of which are known to antagonize growth-promoting pathways. Analogous transcriptional changes are observed in mammalian cells, which implies that FOXO attenuates TOR-driven growth in diverse species.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Congenital Abnormalities / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
  • Growth Inhibitors / genetics
  • Growth Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Organogenesis / genetics*
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases
  • Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional / genetics
  • Species Specificity
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • FOXO protein, Drosophila
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • TSC1 protein, Drosophila
  • Protein Kinases
  • target of rapamycin protein, Drosophila
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases