Figure 2. Spatial regulation of MTORC1 and autophagy in podocytes. The proposed functions of the TASCC-like structure in podocytes is depicted. The formation of the TASCC-like structure in podocytes may provide a unique environment producing specific secretory proteins. In the TASCC-like structure, the enriched autolysosomes and lysosomes generate cellular amino acids that may further recruit MTORC1 into the TASCC-like structure via RRAG GTPases. This process creates mutually reciprocal gradients for MTORC1 and autophagic activity within a podocyte, and may allow the cells to convert unnecessary proteins into the special ones that are crucial for keeping or transforming their phenotypes.