mTOR: dissecting regulation and mechanism of action to understand human disease

Biochem Soc Trans. 2009 Feb;37(Pt 1):213-6. doi: 10.1042/BST0370213.

Abstract

mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) is a highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase that has roles in cell metabolism, cell growth and cell survival. Although it has been known for some years that mTOR acts as a hub for inputs from growth factors (in particular insulin and insulin-like growth factors), nutrients and cellular stresses, some of the mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. Recent work has implicated mTOR in a variety of important human pathologies, including cancer, Type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders, heightening interest and accelerating progress in dissecting out the control and functions of mTOR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Disease*
  • Humans
  • Organ Specificity
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Transcription Factors
  • Protein Kinases
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases