Figure 3. Model of the role of Sam68 in metabolism. Decreased levels of Sam68 results in an increase of the mTOR_i5 isoform with a corresponding decrease of wild type mTOR. This decrease in mTOR leads to an attenuation of mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling resulting in decreased adipocyte progenitors, adipocytes and differentiation. In turn, mice ablated for Sam68 remain lean and are protected against dietary-induced obesity.