“Nutrient Sensing and Exosome Signalling: New Roles for Transporters and mTORC1 Signalling”

Cell growth is regulated by growth factor signalling and extracellular nutrients.  We have identified proton-assisted amino acid (SLC36) transporters as sensors of amino acids that control this mechanism and play important roles in cancer.  Using a range of model systems, we have shown that inhibition of these transporters and their downstream target, the mTORC1 kinase complex, leads to a switch in the secretion of extracellular vesicle subtypes.  This includes release of a new type of exosome we have identified that is made in recycling endosomes.  I present evidence that these exosomes can change the behaviour of other cells to drive tumour adaptation, suggesting a previously unrecognised route to promote cancer resistance mechanisms.

 

Prof Deborah Goberdhan

University of Oxford