Background:
Substrate recognition component of a SCF (SKP1-CUL1-F-box protein) E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex which mediates the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of TTI1 and TELO2 in a CK2-dependent manner, thereby directly regulating mTOR signaling. SCF(FBXO9) recognizes and binds mTORC1-bound TTI1 and TELO2 when they are phosphorylated by CK2 following growth factor deprivation, leading to their degradation. In contrast, the SCF(FBXO9) does not mediate ubiquitination of TTI1 and TELO2 when they are part of the mTORC2 complex. As a consequence, mTORC1 is inactivated to restrain cell growth and protein translation, while mTORC2 is activated due to the relief of feedback inhibition by mTORC1.