| First Author | Li K | Year | 2021 |
| Journal | Cell Rep | Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 5 | Pages | 109069 |
| PubMed ID | 33951440 | Mgi Jnum | J:306662 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6717032 | Doi | 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109069 |
| Citation | Li K, et al. (2021) mTOR signaling regulates gastric epithelial progenitor homeostasis and gastric tumorigenesis via MEK1-ERKs and BMP-Smad1 pathways. Cell Rep 35(5):109069 |
| abstractText | mTOR, the sensor of nutrients and growth factors, has important roles in tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis. However, how mTOR controls gastric epithelial cell turnover and gastric cancer development, a leading malignancy, remains poorly understood. Here, we provide genetic evidence that mTOR activation promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation of Lgr5(+) gastric epithelial progenitors (GEPs) in gastric homeostasis and tumorigenesis. mTOR signaling increases MEK1 and Smad1 expression and enhances activation of MEK1-ERKs and BMP-Smad1 pathways, respectively, in GEPs and gastric tumors. Mek1 deletion or inhibition rescues hyperproliferation, whereas Bmpr1a ablation or inhibition rescues differentiation defects of Tsc1(-/-) GEPs. Tsc1 deficiency in Lgr5(+) GEPs accelerates gastric tumor initiation and development, which require MEK1-ERKs for hyperplasia and BMP-Smad1 for differentiation suppression. These findings reveal how mTOR signaling controls Lgr5(+) GEP homeostasis and cancerization and suggest that ERKs and Smad1 signaling can be safely targeted to substitute mTOR inhibitors in gastric cancer therapy. |
