mTOR Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has drawn much attention because of its essential role in cell growth control and its involvement in human tumorigenesis. The prevailing view is that mTOR regulates many fundamental biological processes, such as cell growth and survival, by integrating both intracellular and extracellular signals, including growth factors, nutrients, energy levels, and cellular stress. Because mTOR deregulation occurs in human disease, including cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegeneration, there are significant ongoing efforts to pharmacologically target the pathway.