Regulation of mTORC1 activity by the Golgi apparatus

Mechanistic (or mammalian) target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a major signalling kinase in cells that regulates proliferation and metabolism and is controlled by extrinsic and intrinsic signals. The lysosome has received considerable attention as a major hub of mTORC1 activation. However, mTOR has also been located to a variety of other intracellular sites, indicating the possibility of spatial regulation of mTORC1 signalling within cells. In particular, there have been numerous recent reports of mTORC1 activation associated with the Golgi apparatus. Here, we review the evidence for the regulation of mTORC1 signalling at the Golgi in mammalian cells. mTORC1 signalling is closely linked to the morphology of the Golgi architecture; a number of Golgi membrane tethers/scaffolds that influence Golgi architecture in mammalian cells that directly or indirectly regulate mTORC1 activation have been identified. Perturbation of the Golgi mTORC1 pathway arising from fragmentation of the Golgi has been shown to promote oncogenesis. Here, we highlight the potential mechanisms for the activation mTORC1 at the Golgi, which is emerging as a major site for mTORC1 signalling.