University of Arizona researchers find how a protein complex functions like a computer

Researchers from the University of Arizona have uncovered how a protein complex, known for regulating cell growth and adjusting metabolism, functions in a more complex manner.

Scientists have long known that the protein complex — known as TORC1 — serves as a master regulator of cell growth. It fuels growth when nutrients are available, and shuts things down when they’re not, essentially serving as an on/off switch.

Cristina Padilla is one of the researchers.

“So TORC1 stands for the Target of Rapamycin kinase Complex I. And it functions as a protein complex to sense the levels of nutrients and stress signals in the cell and then in turn direct cell growth and metabolic pathways," she said.

But UA researchers discovered that TORC1 is far more sophisticated than that, functioning more like a computer.

Professor Andrew Capaldi led the study.

“There are now 80 different regulators of TOR identified across humans and yeast. How would one protein need so many different regulators? It was very confusing," he said.

Researcher Jeaho Lim says the team studied with different people of various backgrounds.

“So I think inevitably we have to collaborate with each of the expertise to kind of sum up the good results together and conclude just like one big, very appealing result," he said.

The findings — published in the journal Nature — could improve understanding of metabolic problems and make medicines more precise.