Pathological Consequences of Hepatic mTORC1 Dysregulation

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a central regulator of metabolism that integrates environmental inputs, including nutrients, growth factors, and stress signals. mTORC1 activation upregulates anabolism of diverse macromolecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, while downregulating autolysosomal catabolism. mTORC1 dysregulation is often found in various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as metabolic syndromes involving obesity and type II diabetes. As an essential metabolic organ, the liver requires proper regulation of mTORC1 for maintaining homeostasis and preventing pathologies. For instance, aberrant hyper- or hypoactivation of mTORC1 disrupts hepatocellular homeostasis and damages the structural and functional integrity of the tissue, leading to prominent liver injury and the development of hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Proper regulation of mTORC1 during liver diseases may be beneficial for restoring liver function and ameliorating the detrimental consequences of liver failure.