Control of cell division is crucially important, as unregulated cell division is a hallmark of cancer. mTORC1 protein kinase is an ancient enzyme complex and master regulator of growth and metabolism that integrates signals relating to nutrient availability, energy, and growth factors. Activation of mTORC1 is driven by proteins called Rags that sense nutrient abundance. However, some cancer-causing mutations make Rag proteins active even in the absence of nutrients and drive cells to divide when they shouldn’t. Roger Williams’ group, in the LMB’s PNAC Division, has now shown how active Rags bind to mTORC1 and how a cancer-associated mutation can make a Rag protein continuously active.
Structural insights into control of cell growth by nutrient availability
LMB 365 – Day 284
The LMB postgraduate students are a truly international and diverse community. Every year 20-30 new graduates from the UK and all over the world join the LMB PhD programme. This photo for day 284 of #LMB365 shows this year’s intake on their first day in the Lab.
LMB 365 – Day 283
On day 283 of #LMB365 John Walker enjoys a rare moment of peace and quiet following the announcement of his Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1997
LMB 365 – Day 282
On day 282 of #LMB365 Fred Sanger gets in the party mood for the second of his Nobel Prizes for Chemistry. Pictured with then LMB Director, Sydney Brenner, Fred was awarded the Nobel in 1958 and 1980. He is the only Briton to have won 2 Nobel Prizes
Madeline Lancaster explains brain organoids to The Times
Simon Crompton of The Times interviews Madeline about her early experience when growing mini brains in the lab and the journey towards insights into human brain development and what fundamentally sets us apart from animals (story behind paywall). More…
Mariann Bienz: Fascinating flies – Drosophila and the molecular biology of development and disease
The third in our series of Group Leader profiles written by science writer and LMB alumna, Kathy Weston, is a profile of Mariann Bienz, a Group Leader in the LMB’s PNAC Division. If one were asked to describe Mariann Bienz in one word, it would almost certainly be: determined. Her persistence and focus took her […]