Roles of mTOR and JNK in serine phosphorylation, translocation, and degradation of IRS-1

In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, insulin or anisomycin stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser307 and Ser636/639, both of which were partially reduced by the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, or the JNK inhibitor, SP600125, and were further inhibited by a combination of them. Interestingly, anisomycin-induced p70S6K phosphorylation was reduced by SP600125, while insulin-induced p70S6K phosphorylation was not. Furthermore, unlike insulin, anisomycin failed to elicit translocation or degradation of IRS-1. These results indicate that mTOR and JNK play roles in phosphorylating IRS-1 serine residues, and that insulin and anisomycin are different in terms of the relationship of activation between mTOR and JNK, and the effects on IRS-1 localization and stability.