title: Leucine Metabolism in T Cell Activation: mTOR Signaling and Beyond.
abstract: In connection with the increasing interest in metabolic regulation of the immune response, this review discusses current advances in understanding the role of leucine and leucine metabolism in T lymphocyte (T cell) activation. T cell activation during the development of an immune response depends on metabolic reprogramming to ensure that sufficient nutrients and energy are taken up by the highly proliferating T cells. Leucine has been described as an important essential amino acid and a nutrient signal that activates complex 1 of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTORC1), which is a critical regulator of T cell proliferation, differentiation, and function. The role of leucine in these processes is further discussed in relation to amino acid transporters, leucine-degrading enzymes, and other metabolites of leucine metabolism. A new model of T cell regulation by leucine is proposed and outlines a chain of events that leads to the activation of mTORC1 in T cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA; elitsa.ananieva-stoyanova@dmu.edu.
authors.forename: Elitsa A
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3828-2093
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ananieva
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and.
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hutson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D000076222:Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / Q000502:physiology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D000637:Transaminases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D000637:Transaminases; D000076222:Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; D007930:Leucine
keywords: BCATc; KIC; T cells; immune function; leucine; mTORC1