Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

High-throughput Yeast Plasmid Overexpression Screen
08:57

High-throughput Yeast Plasmid Overexpression Screen

Published on: July 27, 2011

The TOR signalling network from yeast to man

Claudio De Virgilio1, Robbie Loewith

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. Claudio.DeVirgilio@medecine.unige.ch

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology
|May 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway, crucial for cell growth and metabolism, involves two complexes. Aberrant TOR complex 1 signaling is linked to diseases like cancer, with rapamycin efficacy under clinical evaluation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The target of rapamycin (TOR) is a vital serine/threonine protein kinase conserved across species.
  • TOR functions within two distinct multiprotein complexes: TOR complex 1 (TORC1) and TOR complex 2 (TORC2).
  • TORC1 is rapamycin-sensitive and regulates cellular metabolism in response to growth cues, while TORC2, insensitive to rapamycin, controls spatial growth aspects like cell polarity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the TOR signaling network, focusing on components upstream of TORC1.
  • To understand the role of TOR signaling in various pathologies, including metabolic diseases and cancers.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of rapamycin and related drugs in treating TOR-associated diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized diverse model systems, including flies and mammalian tissue culture cells.
  • Investigated signaling components upstream of TORC1.
  • Reviewed recent studies on TOR signaling pathways and their implications.

Main Results:

  • Elucidated numerous signaling components upstream of TORC1 through studies in model organisms.
  • Demonstrated that aberrant mammalian TORC1 signaling contributes to metabolic diseases, hyperproliferative disorders, and cancers.
  • Identified rapamycin and related compounds as potential therapeutic agents for these pathologies.

Conclusions:

  • TOR signaling is a fundamental pathway with conserved functions from yeast to humans.
  • Dysregulation of TORC1 signaling is implicated in significant human diseases.
  • Clinical trials are underway to assess the efficacy of rapamycin-based therapies for TOR-related pathologies.

More Related Videos

Temporal Quantification of MAPK Induced Expression in Single Yeast Cells07:59

Temporal Quantification of MAPK Induced Expression in Single Yeast Cells

Published on: October 4, 2013

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae10:39

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: September 17, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Yeast Signaling01:28

Yeast Signaling

Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway01:11

IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway

Membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol (PI) are precursors for several membrane-bound and soluble second messengers. Specific kinases phosphorylate PI and produce phosphorylated inositol phospholipids. One such inositol phospholipids are the  phosphatidylinositol-4,5 bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], present in the inner half of the lipid bilayer. Upon ligand binding, GPCR stimulates Gq proteins to turn on phospholipase Cꞵ. Activated phospholipase Cꞵ cleaves PI(4,5)P2 and produces two-second...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Bacterial Signaling01:30

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
Signal Transduction: Overview01:26

Signal Transduction: Overview

Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. They respond to chemical signals, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules, initiating a series of molecular reactions to produce an appropriate response. This is called signal transduction. Cells also coordinate different responses elicited by the same signaling molecule via mediators, allowing molecular cross-talk.
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...