MTOR

mTOR (Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin) is a type of protein that helps to regulate cell growth, cell proliferation, cell motility, cell survival, protein synthesis, autophagy, and transcription. It is a part of the cellular signaling pathway, and is involved in the immune response. mTOR is also associated with cancer and aging.

Function

mTOR functions as a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates cell growth, cell proliferation, cell motility, cell survival, protein synthesis, and transcription. mTOR is a key player in cell signaling and is associated with other proteins to form two distinct complexes: mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2).

mTOR Complex 1

mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) is sensitive to rapamycin and is composed of mTOR, regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (Raptor), mammalian lethal with SEC13 protein 8 (MLST8), and the non-core components PRAS40 and DEPTOR. mTORC1 controls protein synthesis by phosphorylating key regulators of mRNA translation and ribosome synthesis.

mTOR Complex 2

mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2) is considered to be rapamycin-insensitive and is composed of mTOR, rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (Rictor), MLST8, and mammalian stress-activated protein kinase interacting protein (mSIN1). mTORC2 has been implicated in the control of cell survival and the organization of the cytoskeleton. It functions as a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton by facilitating actin reorganization.

Clinical significance

mTOR signaling pathway has been associated with human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and aging. In cancer, mutations in genes encoding mTOR pathway components or in genes that impact mTOR signaling can result in altered cell growth and proliferation. In diabetes, mTORC1 has been implicated in insulin resistance. In aging, mTORC1 has been associated with age-related diseases and conditions.

See also

• Rapamycin
• PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
• Autophagy
• Cell proliferation
• Cell motility
• Protein synthesis
• Transcription (biology)

References

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