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What controls TOR?

Estela Jacinto1

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. jacintes@umdnj.edu

IUBMB Life
|May 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

The target of rapamycin (TOR) protein kinase controls cell growth and can be inhibited by rapamycin. This review explores the latest findings on TOR complex 1 (TORC1) and TOR complex 2 (TORC2) regulation mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The target of rapamycin (TOR) is a crucial protein kinase regulating cell growth.
  • Rapamycin, an immunosuppressive and anticancer drug, potently inhibits some TOR functions.
  • TOR operates within two distinct protein complexes: TOR complex 1 (TORC1) and TOR complex 2 (TORC2).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest findings on the mechanisms controlling TOR activity.
  • To discuss the inhibition of TORC1 by rapamycin and the elusive nature of this mechanism.
  • To address recent reports challenging current models of TOR regulation, particularly concerning TORC2.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent findings in yeast and mammals.
  • Analysis of current models of TOR regulation.
  • Synthesis of data on TOR complex assembly and function.

Main Results:

  • TORC1 is effectively inhibited by rapamycin, though the precise mechanism remains unclear.
  • Recent studies indicate rapamycin can also inhibit TORC2 functions, challenging existing regulatory models.
  • TOR activity is tightly controlled, impacting numerous cellular functions.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding TOR regulation is critical for cell growth control.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms of rapamycin's inhibition of TORC1 and TORC2.
  • The dual-complex nature of TOR (TORC1 and TORC2) and their differential regulation by rapamycin are key areas for future investigation.

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