Twinfilin 1 enhances milk bio-synthesis and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells via the mTOR signaling pathway

Twinfilin1 (TWF1) is an actin monomer-binding protein, which biological function has not yet been fully uncovered. In our previous study, we found by mass spectrometry analysis that TWF1 might be one of the major proteins responsible for milk bio-synthesis and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). The purpose of this study was to explore the possible mechanism by which TWF1 regulates signaling pathways that enhance milk bio-synthesis and proliferation of BMECs. We first explored the effects of TWF1 on milk bio-synthesis and cell proliferation, and analyzed the role of TWF1 on the protein levels of signaling molecules (mTOR, SREBP-1c and Cyclin D1) related to milk bio-synthesis and cell proliferation. Then we determinate the impacts of amino acids (methionine and leucine) and hormones (estrogen and prolactin) on the expressions of TWF1. These results reveal that TWF1 is highly induced by the stimulation of amino acids and hormones and involved in regulation of milk bio-synthesis and cell proliferation via the mTOR pathway in BMECs.