The origin story of rapamycin: systemic bias in biomedical research and cold war politics

Powers, Ted

doi:10.1091/mbc.e22-08-0377

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

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“…Studies conducted within the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Developmental Therapeutics Program demonstrated rapamycin-mediated inhibition of cell growth in tumor cell lines [ 18 , 19 ]; this finding stimulated further efforts to explore the rapamycin mechanism responsible for these anti-tumor activities. These studies, together with others pointing out the relevant bioactivities of rapamycin, launched a billion-dollar drug industrial activity and made possible biomedical research in a major field of investigation [ 20 ].…”

Section: From the Metei Expedition To The Discovery Of Rapamycin (Sir...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Long Scientific Journey of Sirolimus (Rapamycin): From the Soil of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) to Applied Research and Clinical Trials on β-Thalassemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies

Gambari,

Zuccato,

Cosenza

et al. 2023

Biology

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In this review article, we present the fascinating story of rapamycin (sirolimus), a drug able to induce γ-globin gene expression and increased production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in erythroid cells, including primary erythroid precursor cells (ErPCs) isolated from β-thalassemia patients. For this reason, rapamycin is considered of great interest for the treatment of β-thalassemia. In fact, high levels of HbF are known to be highly beneficial for β-thalassemia patients. The story of rapamycin discovery began in 1964, with METEI, the Medical Expedition to Easter Island (Rapa Nui). During this expedition, samples of the soil from different parts of the island were collected and, from this material, an antibiotic-producing microorganism (Streptomyces hygroscopicus) was identified. Rapamycin was extracted from the mycelium with organic solvents, isolated, and demonstrated to be very active as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. Later, rapamycin was demonstrated to inhibit the in vitro cell growth of tumor cell lines. More importantly, rapamycin was found to be an immunosuppressive agent applicable to prevent kidney rejection after transplantation. More recently, rapamycin was found to be a potent inducer of HbF both in vitro using ErPCs isolated from β-thalassemia patients, in vivo using experimental mice, and in patients treated with this compound. These studies were the basis for proposing clinical trials on β-thalassemia patients.

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Section: From the Metei Expedition To The Discovery Of Rapamycin (Sir...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Long Scientific Journey of Sirolimus (Rapamycin): From the Soil of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) to Applied Research and Clinical Trials on β-Thalassemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies

Gambari,

Zuccato,

Cosenza

et al. 2023

Biology

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Small‐Molecule Regulators for Gene Switches to Program Mammalian Cell Behaviour

Mansouri,

Fussenegger

2024

ChemBioChem

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Synthetic or natural small molecules have been extensively employed as trigger signals or inducers to regulate engineered gene circuits introduced into living cells in order to obtain desired outputs in a controlled and predictable manner. Here, we provide an overview of small molecules used to drive synthetic‐biology‐based gene circuits in mammalian cells, together with examples of applications at different levels of control, including regulation of DNA manipulation, RNA synthesis and editing, and protein synthesis, maturation, and trafficking. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of these small‐molecule‐responsive gene circuits, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of using small molecules as triggers, the mechanisms involved, and the requirements for selecting suitable molecules, including efficiency, specificity, orthogonality, and safety. Finally, we explore potential future directions for translation of these devices to clinical medicine.

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Regulation of TORC2 Function and Localization in Yeast

Emmerstorfer-Augustin

Thorner

2023

Annu. Rev. Cell Dev. Biol.

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Every eukaryotic cell contains two, distinct multisubunit protein kinase complexes that each contain a TOR (target of rapamycin) protein as the catalytic subunit. These ensembles, designated TORC1 and TORC2, serve as nutrient and stress sensors, signal integrators, and regulators of cell growth and homeostasis, but they differ in their composition, localization, and function. TORC1, activated on the cytosolic surface of the vacuole (or, in mammalian cells, on the cytosolic surface of the lysosome), promotes biosynthesis and suppresses autophagy. TORC2, located primarily at the plasma membrane (PM), maintains the proper levels and bilayer distribution of all PM components (sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, sterols, and integral membrane proteins), which are needed for the membrane expansion that accompanies cell growth and division and for combating insults to PM integrity. This review summarizes our current understanding of the assembly, structural features, subcellular distribution, and function and regulation of TORC2, obtained largely through studies conducted with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 39 is October 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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The origin story of rapamycin: systemic bias in biomedical research and cold war politics

Cited by 4 publications

References 21 publications

The Long Scientific Journey of Sirolimus (Rapamycin): From the Soil of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) to Applied Research and Clinical Trials on β-Thalassemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies

The Long Scientific Journey of Sirolimus (Rapamycin): From the Soil of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) to Applied Research and Clinical Trials on β-Thalassemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies

Small‐Molecule Regulators for Gene Switches to Program Mammalian Cell Behaviour

Regulation of TORC2 Function and Localization in Yeast

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