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Updated: Dec 12, 2025

Label-free Single Molecule Detection Using Microtoroid Optical Resonators
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Label-free Single Molecule Detection Using Microtoroid Optical Resonators

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Structural Insights into TOR Signaling

Lucas Tafur1, Jennifer Kefauver1, Robbie Loewith1,2

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Geneva, 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, CH1211 Geneva, Switzerland.

Genes
|August 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway regulates cell growth and metabolism. Recent structural studies reveal its molecular mechanisms, offering potential for new disease therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The Target of Rapamycin (TOR) is a crucial serine/threonine kinase controlling cellular growth and metabolism.
  • TOR functions in two complexes, TORC1 and TORC2, vital for cellular homeostasis and environmental response.
  • Dysregulated TOR signaling is implicated in diseases like epilepsy and cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent structural findings of (m)TORC1 and (m)TORC2 complexes.
  • To discuss the revealed molecular biology of TOR signaling.
  • To explore therapeutic strategies targeting TOR pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) advancements.
  • Analysis of published structural data for (m)TORC1 and (m)TORC2 from yeast and mammals.
  • Literature review and synthesis of findings.

Main Results:

  • An abundance of new (m)TORC1 and (m)TORC2 structures has become available.
  • These structures illuminate the molecular mechanisms of TOR regulation and function.
  • Unexpected molecular insights into TOR signaling have been uncovered.

Conclusions:

  • Recent structural biology has significantly advanced our understanding of TOR complexes.
  • This knowledge provides a foundation for developing novel therapeutic interventions.
  • Targeting TOR signaling holds promise for treating various diseases.
Keywords:
cell growth homeostasisstructural biologytarget of rapamycin

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