More TORC for the gluconeogenic engine.

Hepatic gluconeogenesis plays a key role in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. The hormone glucagon stimulates this process, whereas insulin and adiponectin are inhibitory. In a recent report, Koo et al identify the transcriptional regulator TORC2 (Transducer of Regulated CREB activity 2) as a pivotal component of the gluconeogenic program.1 Both insulin and AMPK increase the phosphorylation of TORC2, while glucagon suppresses it. This in turn regulates the nuclear/cytoplasmic shuttling of TORC2 and its ability to transactivate gluconeogenic genes. Thus, TORC2 might serve as a gluconeogenic "molecular switch" that senses hormones and cellular energy status. Copyright 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.