Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 12, 2025

Real-time Analysis of Gut-brain Neural Communication: Cortex wide Calcium Dynamics in Response to Intestinal Glucose Stimulation
Published on: December 29, 2023
mTOR Pathway is Involved in Energy Homeostasis Regulation as a Part of the Gut-Brain Axis
Veronica Pena-Leon1,2, Raquel Perez-Lois1,2, Luisa Maria Seoane1,2
1Grupo Fisiopatología Endocrina, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Abstract:
Mammalian, or mechanic, target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is a crucial factor in the regulation of the energy balance that functions as an energy sensor in the body. The present review explores how the mTOR/S6k intracellular pathway is involved in modulating the production of different signals such as ghrelin and nesfatin-1 in the gastrointestinal tract to regulate food intake and body weight. The role of gastric mTOR signaling in different physiological processes was studied in depth through different genetic models that allow the modulation of mTOR signaling in the stomach and specifically in gastric X/A type cells. It has been described that mTOR signaling in X/A-like gastric cells has a relevant role in the regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis due to its interaction with different organs such as liver and adipose tissue. These findings highlight possible therapeutic strategies, with the gut-brain axis being one of the most promising targets in the treatment of obesity.
Related Concept Videos
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity
During periods of fasting, the ENS initiates the migrating myoelectric complex, a...
Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health
Regulation of Food Intake
Regulation of the Digestive System
The effectors in this regulation system are glands and smooth muscles. Activation of...

