TOR Complex 1: Orchestrating Nutrient Signaling and Cell Cycle Progression
Magdalena Foltman1,2, Alberto Sanchez-Diaz1,2
1Mechanisms and Regulation of Cell Division Research Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, 39011 Santander, Spain.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|November 14, 2023
Summary
The target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) pathway coordinates cell growth with the cell cycle in yeast. This review details how TORC1 activity influences cell cycle progression, maintaining homeostasis and chromosome stability.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway is a highly conserved regulator of cellular processes in eukaryotes.
- TOR complex 1 (TORC1) integrates environmental signals to control cell growth and proliferation.
- Coordination between cellular growth and the cell cycle is essential for maintaining cell size homeostasis and genomic stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms by which TORC1 regulates the cell cycle in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).
- To highlight the importance of TORC1 activity dynamics in cell cycle progression.
- To underscore the role of yeast as a model for understanding the mammalian ortholog, mTORC1.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of established research on TORC1 signaling and cell cycle regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Analysis of molecular pathways connecting TORC1 activity to cell cycle checkpoints and progression.
- Comparative analysis with mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) function.
Main Results:
- TORC1 activity is dynamically regulated, with successive periods of high and low activity facilitating proper cell cycle progression.
- TORC1 influences key cell cycle events, including DNA replication, mitosis, and cytokinesis.
- Disruptions in TORC1 signaling can lead to imbalances in cell growth and cell cycle defects.
Conclusions:
- TORC1 plays a critical role in linking cellular growth control with cell cycle progression in yeast.
- Understanding TORC1-mediated cell cycle regulation in yeast provides insights into conserved mechanisms in other eukaryotes, including humans.
- Dynamic regulation of TORC1 activity is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and preventing genomic instability.
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