Essential Amino Acids have Additive Effects on TORC1 in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells (MAC-T)

Abstract

Milk proteins are produced in mammary epithelial cells from amino acids (AA). Excess AA that are not used for protein synthesis are excreted by the cow as nitrogenous (N) waste products through urine. Excretion of N waste in large quantities poses threats to both natural ecosystems and human health through soil, water, and air contamination. In addition to being a substrate for protein synthesis, some essential AA (EAA) are sensed by the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex one (mTORC1), to regulate metabolic processes, including protein synthesis. The purpose of the experiments is to determine if mTORC1 stimulating EAA have additive effects on mTORC1 signaling in MAC-T cells. Efficient simulation of mTORC1 via additive EAA interactions could reduce the AA requirement for protein synthesis and nitrogen excretion.