abstract |
Vimentin is a type III intermediate filament protein that takes part in cell proliferation, migration and invasion, by acting as a signalling scaffold. The role of vimentin in cell growth, however, is poorly understood. We observed that vimentin knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (Vim -/- MEFs) were smaller than the wild type (WT). Therefore, this work aimed to understanding how vimentin regulates cell growth. Using in vitro models, imaging techniques and biochemical approaches, we have found that the volume and protein concentration of Vim -/- MEFs is lower when compared to WT MEFs. Further, protein synthesis and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation was attenuated in Vim -/- MEFs. By co-immunoprecipitation we found that vimentin interacts with mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and tuberous sclerosis protein complex (TSC) after insulin stimulation. Consequently, we postulate that vimentin regulates cell growth by interacting with proteins of the AKT/mTOR pathway |