A new cytosolic pathway from a Parkinson disease-associated kinase, BRPK/PINK1: activation of AKT via mTORC2

J Biol Chem. 2011 Mar 4;286(9):7182-9. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.179390. Epub 2010 Dec 21.

Abstract

Accumulating evidence indicates that dysfunction of mitochondria is a common feature of Parkinson disease. Functional loss of a familial Parkinson disease-linked gene, BRPK/PINK1 (PINK1), results in deterioration of mitochondrial functions and eventual neuronal cell death. A mitochondrial chaperone protein has been shown to be a substrate of PINK1 kinase activity. In this study, we demonstrated that PINK1 has another action point in the cytoplasm. Phosphorylation of Akt at Ser-473 was enhanced by overexpression of PINK1, and the Akt activation was crucial for protection of SH-SY5Y cells from various cytotoxic agents, including oxidative stress. Enhanced Akt phosphorylation was not due to activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase but due to activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) by PINK1. Rictor, a specific component of mTORC2, was phosphorylated by overexpression of PINK1. Furthermore, overexpression of PINK1 enhanced cell motility. These results indicate that PINK1 exerts its cytoprotective function not only in mitochondria but also in the cytoplasm through activation of mTORC2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / physiology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • CRTC2 protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • RICTOR protein, human
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein
  • Transcription Factors
  • Protein Kinases
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • ErbB Receptors
  • PTEN-induced putative kinase
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt