Ken Inoki Lab

We investigate the function and regulation of the mTOR signaling pathway to better understand its role in diabetes, aging and cancer.

Our Research

In response to growth factors and nutrients, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), plays essential roles in stimulating a wide array of anabolic cellular processes, including protein synthesis, lipid biogenesis and nucleotide synthesis, which is crucial for cell growth and proliferation. Critically, dysregulation of the mTOR signaling pathway is known to be involved in the development of various human diseases, such as cancer and metabolic disorders.

Using biochemical and genetic approaches, we investigate the function and regulation of the mTOR signaling pathway and the role of mTOR signaling in human health problems.

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Ken Inoki, M.D., Ph.D.

Roger C. Wiggins Collegiate Professor of the Life Sciences

Research Associate Professor, U-M Life Sciences Institute

Professor, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, U-M Medical School

Professor, Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, U-M Medical School

(734) 763-1102

[email protected]

Full Profile

Research

Lab Members

Publications

Publication Highlights

HUWE1 stimulates mTORC1 activity by enhancing Rheb interaction with mTORC1 and supports de novo pyrimidine synthesis

Ikeda T, Hong S, Yoshida S, Srivastava SP, Kunamneni A, Yao Y, Khuperkar O, Basrur V, Kuang H, Kachman M, Raskind A, Baum H, Joshi A, Swaroop V, Thurman A, Kopasz-Gemmen O, Kandukuri S, Pradeepa FNU, Yonekura H, Lin JD, Inoki K, Cell Rep (2025)

The Cullin3-Rbx1-KLHL9 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex ubiquitinates Rheb and supports amino acid-induced mTORC1 activation.

Yao Y, Hong S, Yoshida S, Swaroop V, Curtin B, Inoki K, Cell Rep (2025)

Nutrient-sensing mTORC1 and AMPK pathways in chronic kidney diseases.

Huynh C, Ryu J, Lee J, Inoki A, Inoki K, Nat Rev Nephrol (2023)

Amino acids enhance polyubiquitination of Rheb and its binding to mTORC1 by blocking lysosomal ATXN3 deubiquitinase activity

Yao Y, Hong S, Ikeda T, Mori H, MacDougald OA, Nada S, Okada M, Inoki K, Mol Cell (2020)

Role of Ragulator in the regulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling in podocytes and glomerular function

Yao Y, Wang J, Yoshida S, Nada S, Okada M, Inoki K J Am Soc Nephrol (2016)

Inhibition of AMPK catabolic action by GSK3

Suzuki T, Bridges D, Nakada D, Skiniotis G, Morrison SJ, Lin JD, Saltiel AR, Inoki K, Mol Cell (2013)

mTORC1 activation in podocytes is a critical step in the development of diabetic nephropathy in mice

Inoki K, Mori H, Wang J, Suzuki T, Hong S, Yoshida S, Blattner SM, Ikenoue T, Rüegg MA, Hall MN, Kwiatkowski DJ, Rastaldi MP, Huber TB, Kretzler M, Holzman LB, Wiggins RC, Guan KL, J Clin Invest (2011)

TSC2 integrates Wnt and energy signals via a coordinated phosphorylation by AMPK and GSK3 to regulate cell growth

Inoki K, Ouyang H, Zhu T, Lindvall C, Wang Y, Zhang X, Yang Q, Bennett C, Harada Y, Stankunas K, Wang CY, He X, MacDougald OA, You M, Williams BO, Guan KL, Cell (2006)

Dysregulation of the TSC-mTOR pathway in human disease

Inoki K, Corradetti MN, Guan KL, Nat Genet (2005)

TSC2 mediates cellular energy response to control cell growth and survival

Inoki K, Zhu T, Guan KL, Cell (2003)

View all publications on PubMed