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Updated: Jun 23, 2025

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mTOR: Its Critical Role in Metabolic Diseases, Cancer, and the Aging Process

Sulaiman K Marafie1, Fahd Al-Mulla2, Jehad Abubaker1

  • 1Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, P.O. Box 1180, Dasman 15462, Kuwait.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 19, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates cell functions and is crucial in diseases like cancer and diabetes. Developing dual-function mTOR inhibitors offers new therapeutic strategies for these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of cellular processes, integrating environmental signals.
  • Dysregulation of mTOR signaling is linked to metabolic disorders, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and aging.
  • mTOR signaling pathways are complex and play a critical role in numerous physiological and pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the significance of mTOR signaling in human diseases.
  • To highlight key components of the mTOR network involved in disease pathogenesis.
  • To discuss recent advances in mTOR inhibitors and their clinical applications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mTOR signaling pathways and inhibitors.
  • Analysis of the role of mTOR in disease development and progression.
  • Examination of current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting mTOR.

Main Results:

  • mTOR signaling is implicated in protein synthesis, cell growth, survival, and apoptosis.
  • mTOR pathway dysregulation is a hallmark of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and aging.
  • mTOR inhibitors have shown therapeutic potential but require further development for enhanced efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of mTOR signaling is essential for developing effective treatments.
  • Next-generation mTOR inhibitors with dual functions are needed for efficient targeting of mTOR pathways.
  • Targeting mTOR offers a promising therapeutic avenue for a range of complex human diseases.
Keywords:
agingcancermTORmTOR inhibitorsmTORC1mTORC2metabolic disease

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