Ecm33 is a novel factor involved in efficient glucose uptake for nutrition‐responsive TORC 1 signaling in yeast

Glucose uptake is crucial for providing both an energy source and a signal that regulates cell proliferation. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanisms underlying glucose uptake and its transmission to intracellular signaling pathways. In this study, we searched for a novel regulatory factor involved in glucose‐induced signaling by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a eukaryotic model. Requirement of the extracellular protein Ecm33 in efficient glucose uptake and full activation of the nutrient‐responsive TOR kinase complex 1 ( TORC 1) signaling pathway is shown. Cells lacking Ecm33 elicit a series of starvation‐induced pathways even in the presence of extracellular high glucose concentration. This results in delayed cell proliferation, reduced ATP , induction of autophagy, and dephosphorylation of the TORC 1 substrates Atg13 and Sch9.