Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that plays key roles in regulating cellular functions. mTOR forms two distinct multiprotein complexes, mTOR complexes 1 and 2 (mTORC1/2), which phosphorylate different substrates. Rapamycin inhibits many functions of mTORC1. Its use has revealed that mTORC1 regulates protein synthesis, ribosome production, autophagy, gene transcription, and cell growth and division. mTORC1's best-known substrates are proteins involved in protein synthesis. mTORC2 phosphorylates protein kinases such as Akt. Defects in mTOR signaling or its control are involved in various diseases, including cancers, and mTOR signaling is thus a potentially valuable therapeutic target.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of Biological Chemistry |
Subtitle of host publication | Second Edition |
Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
Pages | 194-199 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780123786319 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780123786302 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published or Issued - 15 Feb 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Autophagy
- Cancer
- Cell cycle
- Cell growth
- EIF4E
- MRNA translation
- MTORC
- Protein synthesis
- Rapalog
- Rapamycin
- Ribosome biogenesis
- TSC
- Tuberous sclerosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology