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Sci. Signal., 24 May 2011
Vol. 4, Issue 174, p. ec146
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.4174ec146]

EDITORS' CHOICE

Cell Biology Break Down to Build Up

Stella M. Hurtley

Science, AAAS, Cambridge CB2 1LQ, UK

At certain points during development and aging, cells appear to catabolize their own constituents in order to provide the amino acids required for new protein synthesis. Narita et al. (see the Perspective by Zoncu and Sabatini) identified a protein recycling factory that can be formed to enhance protein synthesis in order to facilitate en masse secretion. This mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)–autophagy spatial coupling compartment allows the simultaneous activation of both mTOR and autophagy, leading to concurrent protein synthesis and degradation and significantly enhancing protein turnover.

M. Narita, A. R. J. Young, S. Arakawa, S. A. Samarajiwa, T. Nakashima, S. Yoshida, S. Hong, L. S. Berry, S. Reichelt, M. Ferreira, S. Tavaré, K. Inoki, S. Shimizu, M. Narita, Spatial coupling of mTOR and autophagy augments secretory phenotypes. Science 332, 966–970 (2011). [Abstract] [Full Text]

R. Zoncu, D. M. Sabatini, The TASCC of secretion. Science 332, 923–925 (2011). [Abstract] [Full Text]

Citation: S. M. Hurtley, Break Down to Build Up. Sci. Signal. 4, ec146 (2011).

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