PI3K-Akt/LKB1-AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K/4EBP1 signaling pathways participate in the regulation of testis development and spermatogenesis: An update.
- Author:
Peng DUAN
1
;
Chao QUAN
1
;
Wen-Ting HUANG
1
;
Ke-di YANG
1
Author Information
1. Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
mammalian target of rapamycin;
signaling pathway;
spermatogenesis;
testicular development
- From:
National Journal of Andrology
2016;22(11):1016-1020
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Male infertility is closely associated with spermatogenesis disorders triggered by aberrant gene expression or abnormal signaling pathways in the testis. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of cell metabolism, playing an important role in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, translation, actin polymerization, cycle progression, energy metabolism, autophagy, and other cellular activities. PI3K-Akt and LKB1-AMPK, the two well-defined classic signal transduction pathways, regulate the expressions of mTOR and its downstream p70S6K/4EBP1 through different molecular pathways. Recent studies show that mTOR-p70S6K/4EBP1 signaling participates in the regulation of the proliferation and differentiation of testicular cells and spermatogenesis. This review focuses on the role of PI3K-Akt/LKB1- AMPK-mTOR signaling cascades in testis development and spermatogenesis, providing some new perspectives for the studies of the molecular mechanism underlying male sterility.
