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mTOR signaling in disease

Eva Dazert1, Michael N Hall

  • 1Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH4056 Basel, Switzerland.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|October 4, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway, particularly mammalian TOR (mTOR), regulates cell growth and metabolism. Dysregulation of this pathway is linked to diseases like cancer and metabolic disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The target of rapamycin (TOR) is a crucial serine/threonine kinase conserved across species.
  • Mammalian TOR (mTOR) integrates signals from nutrients, growth factors, and cellular energy status.
  • Aberrant mTOR signaling is associated with various pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent scientific findings on the role of mTOR.
  • To highlight mTOR's involvement in cancer, metabolic disorders, neurological diseases, and inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on mTOR signaling.
  • Analysis of research linking mTOR to disease pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • mTOR plays a central role in controlling cell growth, metabolism, and aging.
  • Dysregulated mTOR signaling is implicated in the development and progression of major diseases.
  • Specific roles of mTOR in cancer, metabolic diseases, neurological disorders, and inflammation are discussed.

Conclusions:

  • The mTOR pathway is a critical regulator of cellular processes.
  • Understanding mTOR signaling is vital for developing therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to its dysregulation.

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