TOR complex 2: a signaling pathway of its own

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Nadine Cybulski1, Michael N Hall

  • 1Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|October 31, 2009
PubMed

Insights

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway is complex, with two complexes: TORC1 and TORC2. Rapamycin inhibits TORC1, but TORC2 requires genetic methods for study, revealing its crucial cellular roles.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Research on the TOR signaling network has expanded significantly, leading to a complex model.
  • Rapamycin is a common inhibitor used to study the TOR pathway's influence on cellular processes.
  • The discovery of distinct TOR complexes, TORC1 and TORC2, highlighted that rapamycin selectively inhibits only TORC1.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To focus on the TORC2 signaling pathway.
  • To review recent studies that have elucidated TORC2 signaling.
  • To understand the biological functions of TORC2, for which specific inhibitors are lacking.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature focusing on TORC2 signaling.
  • Analysis of studies employing genetic manipulation in model organisms to investigate TORC2.
  • Synthesis of findings from studies examining the influence of TORC2 on cellular processes.

Main Results:

  • TORC1 is directly inhibited by rapamycin, while TORC2 is not.
  • Genetic manipulation is necessary to study TORC2 function due to the absence of specific inhibitors.
  • Studies in model organisms have significantly advanced the understanding of TORC2 signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • The TOR signaling network comprises two distinct complexes, TORC1 and TORC2, with differential sensitivity to rapamycin.
  • Understanding TORC2 signaling relies heavily on genetic approaches.
  • Recent research, particularly in model organisms, has been instrumental in revealing the functions of TORC2.

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