TSC2 regulates microRNA biogenesis via mTORC1 and GSK3β

Hum Mol Genet. 2018 May 1;27(9):1654-1663. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddy073.

Abstract

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by germline inactivating mutations of TSC1 or TSC2. In TSC-associated tumors of the brain, heart, skin, kidney and lung, inactivation of both alleles of TSC1 or TSC2 leads to hyperactivation of the mTORC1 pathway. The TSC/mTORC1 pathway is a key regulator of cellular processes related to growth, proliferation and autophagy. We and others have previously found that mTORC1 regulates microRNA biogenesis, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Microprocessor, a multi-protein complex including the nuclease Drosha, processes the primary miR transcript. Using a dual-luciferase reporter, we found that inhibition of mTORC1 or downregulation of Raptor decreased Microprocessor activity, while loss of TSC2 led to a striking increase (∼5-fold) in Microprocessor activity. To determine the global impact of TSC2 on microRNAs we quantitatively analyzed 752 microRNAs in Tsc2-expressing and Tsc2-deficient cells. Out of 259 microRNAs expressed in both cell lines, 137 were significantly upregulated and 24 were significantly downregulated in Tsc2-deficient cells, consistent with the increased Microprocessor activity. Microprocessor activity is known to be regulated in part by GSK3β. We found that total GSK3β levels were higher in Tsc2-deficient cells, and the increase in Microprocessor activity associated with Tsc2 loss was reversed by three different GSK3β inhibitors. Furthermore, mTOR inhibition increased the levels of phospho-GSK3β (S9), which negatively affects Microprocessor activity. Taken together these data reveal that TSC2 regulates microRNA biogenesis and Microprocessor activity via GSK3β.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / genetics
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein / genetics
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein / metabolism
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein / genetics
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Tsc1 protein, mouse
  • Tsc2 protein, mouse
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases