BackgroundMetabolic dysfunction and protein aggregation are common characteristics that occur in age-related neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the mechanisms underlying these abnormalities remain poorly understood. Mutations in the presenilin genes are the primary cause of early onset familial AD, but despite their identification over 20 years ago, their role in the disease remains unclear. MethodsThe model system Caenorhabditis elegans was utilized to study the in vivo function of the highly conserved presenilin ortholog SEL-12 in the nervous system. Cell biological and biochemical assays were employed to monitor changes to proteostasis and autophagic flux in sel-12 mutants. Immunoblotting was used to assess alterations to the activity of the mTORC1 pathway, a central inhibitor of autophagy. Genetic and pharmaceutical strategies to reduce mTORC1 activity, and fluorescent reporters and biosensors were expressed in the mechanosensory neurons to measure mTORC1’s influence on proteotoxicity, neuronal health and mitochondrial morphology. Additionally, behavioral response to touch was employed to determine the role mTORC1 activity has in neuronal function in sel-12 mutants. RNA interference by standard feeding methods was used to assess the contribution of autophagy to mTORC1-mediated sel-12 defects. ResultsLoss of SEL-12 results in the hyperactivation of the mTORC1 pathway and mTORC1-dependent reduction in autophagy. This hyperactivation is caused by elevated mitochondrial calcium signaling and concomitant mitochondrial hyperactivity. Reducing mTORC1 activity improves proteostasis defects and neurodegenerative phenotypes associated with loss of SEL-12 function. Consistent with high mTORC1 activity, we find that SEL-12 loss reduces autophagy, and this reduction is prevented by limiting mitochondrial calcium uptake or mitochondrial respiration. Moreover, the improvements in proteostasis and neuronal defects in sel-12 mutants due to mTORC1 inhibition require the induction of autophagy.ConclusionSEL-12 has a critical role in mediating mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and activity. In the absence of presenilin function mitochondrial calcium uptake and mitochondrial activity is increased. This mitochondrial hyperactivity stimulates mTORC1 signaling, which inhibits autophagy and promotes proteostasis decline and neuronal dysfunction in sel-12 mutants. These data suggest that the mTORC1 pathway is a potential therapeutic target for treating AD.