About this Research Topic
AMPK and mTOR are two cellular signaling pathways that are often referred to as opposing forces. mTOR actively promotes growth and proliferation when nutrients are abundant and in response to growth factors. Conversely, when nutrients become limited, or under energetic stress, AMPK is activated and inhibits mTOR until a homeostatic energetic state is restored. These two kinases can exert rapid actions in the cell through phosphorylation cascades, however, to mediate long-term modulations of specific cellular pathways, they must coordinate their actions through distinct transcription factors and various epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. These functional, and sometimes direct, interactions between these two major signaling pathways and their various associated regulatory factors represent an exciting new field of research in cellular biology.
To date, most research has focused on studying signaling pathways or transcriptional regulation independently, impairing our capacity to fully understand this important concept of cross-talk in cellular biology. Several examples in physiology and disease now clearly demonstrate that these connections are essential for proper cellular functions and may be altered in various diseases such as cancer. Indeed, AMPK has been shown to control mitochondrial gene expression with the nuclear receptor ERRα in breast cancer cells and in white adipose tissues, while mTOR promotes metabolic reprogramming downstream of the androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer cells. Much remains to be understood regarding the plethora of pathways regulated at the transcription level by AMPK and mTOR as well as all the transcription factors and other mechanisms involved in such regulation.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original articles as well as review articles that contribute to our understanding of the link between the AMPK or the mTOR signaling pathways with the regulation of transcription. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to:
- AMPK and/or mTOR regulation of transcription
- Functional or direct interactions between AMPK, mTOR, and various associated transcription factors
- Long-term effects of AMPK or mTOR activation on cellular biology through regulation of transcription
- Epigenetic regulation by the AMPK and/or the mTOR pathway, such as through regulation of microRNAs or histone modifications
To date, most research has focused on studying signaling pathways or transcriptional regulation independently, impairing our capacity to fully understand this important concept of cross-talk in cellular biology. Several examples in physiology and disease now clearly demonstrate that these connections are essential for proper cellular functions and may be altered in various diseases such as cancer. Indeed, AMPK has been shown to control mitochondrial gene expression with the nuclear receptor ERRα in breast cancer cells and in white adipose tissues, while mTOR promotes metabolic reprogramming downstream of the androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer cells. Much remains to be understood regarding the plethora of pathways regulated at the transcription level by AMPK and mTOR as well as all the transcription factors and other mechanisms involved in such regulation.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original articles as well as review articles that contribute to our understanding of the link between the AMPK or the mTOR signaling pathways with the regulation of transcription. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to:
- AMPK and/or mTOR regulation of transcription
- Functional or direct interactions between AMPK, mTOR, and various associated transcription factors
- Long-term effects of AMPK or mTOR activation on cellular biology through regulation of transcription
- Epigenetic regulation by the AMPK and/or the mTOR pathway, such as through regulation of microRNAs or histone modifications
Keywords: AMPK, mTOR, Signaling, Transcription, Epigenetic Regulation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
