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Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Polysome Fractionation and Analysis of Mammalian Translatomes on a Genome-wide Scale
10:56

Polysome Fractionation and Analysis of Mammalian Translatomes on a Genome-wide Scale

Published on: May 17, 2014

mTOR, translational control and human disease

Andrew R Tee1, John Blenis

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|January 22, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Dysregulated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling disrupts cell growth and proliferation, leading to human diseases. Loss of tumor suppressors like TSC-1/2, PTEN, and LKB1 causes hamartoma syndromes due to heightened mTOR activity.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cell growth and proliferation are tightly regulated processes crucial for human health.
  • Disruptions in these processes are implicated in various human diseases.
  • The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a central regulator of cell growth and proliferation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review human disorders resulting from aberrant mTOR signaling.
  • To highlight the role of tumor suppressor proteins in controlling mTOR.
  • To connect dysregulated mTOR signaling to hamartoma syndromes and other diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on mTOR signaling and human diseases.
  • Analysis of the role of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-1/2, PTEN, and LKB1 tumor suppressors.
  • Examination of the link between mTOR dysregulation and benign tumor syndromes.

Main Results:

  • Inappropriate cellular signal transduction via mTOR underlies many human diseases.
  • Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-1/2, PTEN, and LKB1 proteins are key regulators of mTOR.
  • Loss of these tumor suppressors results in heightened mTOR signaling and hamartoma syndromes.

Conclusions:

  • Dysregulation of mTOR signaling is a significant factor in human disease pathogenesis.
  • Understanding mTOR regulation is critical for addressing hamartoma syndromes and related disorders.
  • Targeting mTOR signaling pathways may offer therapeutic strategies for these conditions.

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