Journal of Proteomics & Bioinformatics
Open Access

Distinct perturbation of the translatome by the anti-diabetic drug metformin

2^nd International Conference on Proteomics & Bioinformatics

July 2-4, 2012 Embassy Suites Las Vegas, USA

Ola Larsson

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Proteomics Bioinform

Abstract :

Reduced cancer incidence has been reported among type II diabetics treated with metformin. Laboratory models have demonstrated that metformin has anti-proliferative and anti-neoplastic effects associated with inhibition of mTORC1, but the sequellae of this inhibition are poorly understood. Here we show that metformin regulates gene expression at the level of mRNA translation, to an extent comparable to canonical mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin and PP242), and that its anti-proliferative activity involves selective translational suppression of mRNAs encoding cell cycle regulators via the mTORC1/4E-BP pathway. Thus metformin is a selective inhibitor of mRNA translation and thereby affects the proteome, suggesting applications in cancer prevention and treatment.

Biography :

Ola Larsson completed his Ph.D at Karolinska Institutet and, following postdoctoral studies at University of Minnesota and McGill University, is currently an assistant professor at Karolinska Insitute Department of Oncology-Pathology. He has published more than 35 papers in reputed journals.