Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

A Semi-Quantitative Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability DARTS assay for studying Rapamycin/mTOR interaction
05:28

A Semi-Quantitative Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability DARTS assay for studying Rapamycin/mTOR interaction

Published on: August 27, 2019

17.8K

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin: A Target for (Lung) Diseases and Aging

Brian K Kennedy1, Juniper K Pennypacker1

  • 1Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California.

Annals of the American Thoracic Society
|December 23, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates aging and influences numerous diseases, particularly lung conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. Understanding mTOR

Area of Science:

  • Cellular signaling pathways
  • Molecular biology
  • Aging research

Background:

  • The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is implicated in diverse biological processes and diseases.
  • Its role in lung pathologies like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is significant.
  • Recent findings highlight mTOR as a conserved mediator of aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of the mTOR pathway.
  • To explore its specific involvement in lung diseases.
  • To propose an explanation for mTOR's pleiotropic effects in human disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mTOR signaling.
  • Analysis of mTOR's role in aging.
  • Examination of mTOR's function in lung pathologies.

Main Results:

  • mTOR signaling is a key regulator of aging.
  • Aging-related diseases may explain some of mTOR's widespread effects.
  • mTOR's involvement extends to non-aging-related diseases, suggesting broader roles.

Conclusions:

  • The mTOR pathway's role in aging offers a partial explanation for its involvement in chronic diseases.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate mTOR's diverse functions in health and disease.
  • Targeting mTOR may have implications for treating age-related and other diseases, including lung pathologies.
Keywords:
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosislymphangioleiomyomatosismammalian target of rapamycin

More Related Videos

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer06:51

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer

Published on: July 21, 2018

18.8K
Isolation of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes for Nascent Protein Synthesis Analysis by Non-radioactive L-azidohomoalanine Labeling Method08:04

Isolation of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes for Nascent Protein Synthesis Analysis by Non-radioactive L-azidohomoalanine Labeling Method

Published on: October 23, 2018

20.0K

Related Concept Videos

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...
5.0K
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...
6.1K
Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
21.1K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
4.5K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.3K
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
19.3K