Lkb1/Stk11 regulation of mTOR signaling controls the transition of chondrocyte fates and suppresses skeletal tumor formation

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Nov 26;110(48):19450-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1309001110. Epub 2013 Nov 11.

Abstract

Liver kinase b1 (Lkb1) protein kinase activity regulates cell growth and cell polarity. Here, we show Lkb1 is essential for maintaining a balance between mitotic and postmitotic cell fates in development of the mammalian skeleton. In this process, Lkb1 activity controls the progression of mitotic chondrocytes to a mature, postmitotic hypertrophic fate. Loss of this Lkb1-dependent switch leads to a dramatic expansion of immature chondrocytes and formation of enchondroma-like tumors. Pathway analysis points to a mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1-dependent mechanism that can be partially suppressed by rapamycin treatment. These findings highlight a critical requirement for integration of mammalian target of rapamycin activity into developmental decision-making during mammalian skeletogenesis.

Keywords: cell death; chondrocyte differentiation; endochondral ossification; hypoxia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Bromodeoxyuridine
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Chondrocytes / cytology*
  • Histological Techniques
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Mice
  • Multiprotein Complexes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • ethylene diurea
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Stk11 protein, mouse
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Bromodeoxyuridine
  • Sirolimus

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE41898