L-Leucine

61-90-5

C6H13NO2

H2O : 16.67 mg/mL (127.09 mM; Need ultrasonic)

PI3K/Akt/mTOR

L-Leucine is an essential branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), which activates the mTOR signaling pathway^[1]. IC50 & Target: mTORC1^[1] In Vitro: L-Leucine (10 mM) treatment impairs endocrine progenitor cell development^[1].
In E13.5 rat pancreatic explants, in absence of added L-Leucine, Ngn3 mRNA levels increased after 1 day of culture, peaked on day 3, and then decreased. When L-Leucine is added, a dramatic decrease is observed in Ngn3 mRNA levels. This decrease in Ngn3 mRNA levels was paralleled by a decrease in the number of Ngn3-expressing cells (4728+/-408 vs. 959+/-28; P<0.01). Finally, L-Leucine also caused a dose-dependent repressive effect on the mRNA levels of the three genes, namely Ngn3, its target Insm1, and insulin^[1].
Leucine stimulates protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs by enhancing mTORC1 activation. L-Leucine increases intracellular HIF-1alpha levels and activates the HIF-1alpha signaling pathway, and these two effects are mediated by the mTOR signaling pathway. This process results in Ngn3 repression and, consequently, decreases beta-cell differentiation^[1].