Pancreatic ß-cell failure mediated by mTORC1 hyperactivity and autophagic impairment.

ABSTRACT

Hyperactivation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in ß-cells is usually found as a consequence of increased metabolic load. Although it plays an essential role in ß-cell compensatory mechanisms, mTORC1 negatively regulates autophagy. Using a mouse model with ß-cell-specific deletion of Tsc2 (ßTsc2(-/-)) and, consequently, mTORC1 hyperactivation, we focused on the role that chronic mTORC1 hyperactivation might have on ß-cell failure. mTORC1 hyperactivation drove an early increase in ß-cell mass that later declined, triggering hyperglycemia. Apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers were found in islets of older ßTsc2(-/-) mice as well as accumulation of p62/SQSTM1 and an impaired autophagic response. Mitochondrial mass was increased in ß-cells of ßTsc2(-/-) mice, but mitophagy was also impaired under these circumstances. We provide evidence of ß-cell autophagy impairment as a link between mTORC1 hyperactivation and mitochondrial dysfunction that probably contributes to ß-cell failure.