title: Translational regulation of TRAIL sensitivity.
abstract: TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a peptide that induces apoptosis to varying degrees in tumor cells. While TRAIL sensitivity in tumors has been linked to c-myc- and MEK/Erk-induced enhancement of caspase activation, our recent study identified a third input controlling TRAIL sensitivity, namely the Akt-mTOR pathway. We showed that instead of enhancing TRAIL sensitivity, Akt expression, acting through mTOR and the mTOR targets S6 kinase and eIF-4E, selectively enhances translation of the anti-apoptotic protein FLIP(S) and confers TRAIL resistance. In this perspective article we will discuss the linkage of the Akt-mTOR pathway to other regulators of TRAIL sensitivity, its importance in controlling a broader range of apoptotic events, its utility in predicting TRAIL responsiveness, and its potential manipulation for therapeutic benefit.
authors.affiliation: The Brain Tumor Research Center and the Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143-0875, USA.
authors.forename: Amith
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panner
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Parsa
authors.forename: Russell O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Pieper
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D020725:ral GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C412403:DIABLO protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020725:ral GTP-Binding Proteins