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Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

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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...
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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...
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Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

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Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
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MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

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Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Isolation of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes for Nascent Protein Synthesis Analysis by Non-radioactive L-azidohomoalanine Labeling Method
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Experimental Approaches in Delineating mTOR Signaling.

Jiayi Qian1,2, Siyuan Su1,2, Pengda Liu1,2

  • 1Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

Genes
|July 8, 2020
PubMed
Summary

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates key cellular functions and is implicated in human diseases. This review highlights experimental techniques that have advanced our understanding of mTOR signaling and biology.

Keywords:
biochemical approachbioinformatic approachexperimental approachgenetic approachhypothesis-drivenimmunofluorescencemTORprotein motif search

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is crucial for regulating fundamental cellular processes such as proliferation, growth, metabolism, and autophagy.
  • Dysregulation of mTOR signaling is associated with numerous human disorders, making it a significant drug target.
  • The discovery and elucidation of mTOR signaling have evolved since the isolation of rapamycin in 1975 and the cloning of TOR genes in 1993.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and summarize the major experimental approaches that have been instrumental in delineating mTOR signaling pathways.
  • To provide a blueprint of key techniques that have driven mTOR research over the past decades.
  • To inspire future research in mTOR biology and other protein kinase studies by examining the reasoning behind experimental designs.

Main Methods:

  • Biochemical immunoprecipitation techniques
  • Genetic approaches, including yeast genetics
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy
  • Hypothesis-driven studies
  • Protein sequence and motif analysis
  • Bioinformatic approaches

Main Results:

  • A comprehensive overview of diverse experimental methodologies employed in mTOR research is presented.
  • The review details how various techniques have identified key components and elucidated the intricacies of the mTOR pathway.
  • It emphasizes the synergistic role of technique development and foundational studies in advancing mTOR knowledge.

Conclusions:

  • Revisiting historical experimental approaches offers valuable insights into the progression of mTOR research.
  • The methodologies discussed serve as a guide for current and future investigations into mTOR signaling.
  • Understanding the experimental strategies behind mTOR discoveries can foster innovation in the study of protein kinases.