The mechanism by which 6-OHDA and RTP801 induce neuron death appears to involve repression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase activity, and such death is inhibited by shRNAs targeting TSC2 (tuberous sclerosis complex), a protein with which RTP801 interacts to block mTOR activation.
At least part of this inhibition is mediated through a Redd1 and tuberous sclerosis complex 1/2-dependent inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin kinase.
We find that loss of either p53, required for the induction of Sestrin 1/2, or p63, required for the induction of REDD1 and activation of the tuberous sclerosis complex, prevents the DNA damage-induced suppression of mTORC1 signaling.