title: Inducible raptor and rictor knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts.
abstract: The mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) kinase functions within two structurally and functionally distinct multiprotein complexes termed mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. The immunosuppressant and anticancer drug rapamycin is commonly used in basic research as a tool to study mTOR signaling. However, rapamycin inhibits only, and only incompletely, mTORC1, and no mTORC2-specific inhibitor is available. Hence, a full understanding of mTOR signaling in vivo, including the function of both complexes, requires genetic inhibition in addition to pharmacological inhibition. Taking advantage of the Cre/LoxP system, we generated inducible knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient for either the mTORC1-specific component raptor (iRapKO) or the mTORC2-specific component rictor (iRicKO). Inducibility of the knockout was important because mTOR complex components are essential. Induction of either raptor or rictor knockout eliminated raptor or rictor expression, respectively, and impaired the corresponding mTOR signaling branch. The described knockout MEFs are a valuable tool to study the full function of the two mTOR complexes individually.
authors: Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Nadine
authors: N
authors: Cybulski
authors: Vittoria
authors: V
authors: Zinzalla
authors: Michael N
authors: MN
authors: Hall
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D000076222:Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D011247:Pregnancy; D011506:Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000076226:Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein; D000076223:Regulatory-Associated Protein of mTOR; D015398:Signal Transduction; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C504923:Crtc2 protein, mouse; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D011506:Proteins; D000076226:Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein; D000076223:Regulatory-Associated Protein of mTOR; C540162:Rptor protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; C525637:rictor protein, mouse; D000076222:Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases