title: The tuberous sclerosis complex: balancing proliferation and survival.
abstract: Mutations in genes encoding either hamartin [TSC1 (tuberous sclerosis complex 1)] or tuberin (TSC2) result in a multisystem disorder characterized by the development of benign tumours and hamartomas in several organs. The TSC1 and TSC2 proteins form a complex that lies at the crossroad of many signalling pathways integrating the energy status of the cell with signals induced by nutrients and growth factors. The TSC1/2 complex is a critical negative regulator of mTORC1 [mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) complex 1], and by that controls anabolic processes to promote cell growth, proliferation and survival. In the present paper, we review recent evidence highlighting the notion that the TSC1/2 complex simultaneously controls mTOR-dependent and mTOR-independent signals critical for the balancing of cell proliferation and cell death.
authors.affiliation: Program in Immunology and Bio-Immuno-Gene Therapy of Cancer (PIBIC), Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, I-20132 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Romana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tomasoni
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mondino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000077004:Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein; D000077005:Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C000624650:TSC1 protein, human; C000624653:TSC2 protein, human; D000077004:Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein; D000077005:Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins