Mammalian target of rapamycin

The mammalian target of rapamycin, commonly known as mTOR, is a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates cell growth, cell proliferation, cell motility, cell survival, protein synthesis, and transcription.

Function
Current research indicates that mTOR integrates the input from multiple upstream pathways, including insulin, growth factors (such as IGF-1 and IGF-2), and mitogens. mTOR also functions as a sensor of cellular nutrient and energy levels and redox status. The dysregulation of the mTOR pathway is implicated as a contributing factor to various human disease processes, especially various types of cancer. Rapamycin is a bacterial natural product that can inhibit mTOR through association with its intracellular receptor FKBP12. The FKBP12-rapamycin complex binds directly to the FKBP12-Rapamycin Binding (FRB) domain of mTOR.

mTOR has been shown to function as the catalytic subunit of two distinct molecular complexes in cells.

mTORC1
mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) is composed of mTOR, regulatory associated protein of mTOR (Raptor), and mammalian LST8/G-protein β-subunit like protein (mLST8/GβL). This complex possesses the classic features of mTOR by functioning as a nutrient/energy/redox sensor and controlling protein synthesis. The activity of this complex is stimulated by insulin, growth factors, serum, phosphatidic acid, amino acids (particularly leucine), and oxidative stress.

mTORC1 is inhibited by low nutrient levels, growth factor deprivation, reductive stress, caffeine, rapamycin, farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS) and curcumin. The two best characterized targets of mTORC1 are p70-S6 Kinase 1 (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding protein 1 (4E-BP1).

mTORC1 phosphorylates S6K1 on at least two residues, with the most critical modification occurring on threonine389. This event stimulates the subsequent phosphorylation of S6K1 by PDK1. Active S6K1 can in turn stimulate the initiation of protein synthesis through activation of S6 Ribosomal protein (a component of the ribosome) and other components of the translational machinery. S6K1 can also participate in a positive feedback loop with mTORC1 by phosphorylating mTOR's negative regulatory domain at threonine2446 and serine2448; events which appear to be stimulatory in regards to mTOR activity.

mTORC1 has been shown to phosphorylate at least four residues of 4E-BP1 in a hierarchical manner. Non-phosphorylated 4E-BP1 binds tightly to the translation initiation factor eIF4E, preventing it from binding to 5'-capped mRNAs and recruiting them to the ribosomal initiation complex. Upon phosphorylation by mTORC1, 4E-BP1 releases eIF4E, allowing it to perform its function. The activity of mTORC1 appears to be regulated through a dynamic interaction between mTOR and Raptor, one which is mediated by GβL. Raptor and mTOR share a strong N-terminal interaction and a weaker C-terminal interaction near mTOR's kinase domain. When stimulatory signals are sensed, such as high nutrient/energy levels, the mTOR-Raptor C-terminal interaction is weakened and possibly completely lost, allowing mTOR kinase activity to be turned on. When stimulatory signals are withdrawn, such as low nutrient levels, the mTOR-Raptor C-terminal interaction is strengthened, essentially shutting off kinase function of mTOR.

mTORC2
mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2) is composed of mTOR, rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (Rictor), GβL, and mammalian stress-activated protein kinase interacting protein 1 (mSIN1). mTORC2 has been shown to function as an important regulator of the cytoskeleton through its stimulation of F-actin stress fibers, paxillin, RhoA, Rac1, Cdc42, and protein kinase C α (PKCα). However, unexpectedly mTORC2 also functions as the elusive "PDK2." mTORC2 phosphorylates the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt/PKB at serine473, an event which stimulates Akt phosphorylation at threonine308 by PDK1 and leads to full Akt activation.

mTORC2 appears to be regulated by insulin, growth factors, serum, and nutrient levels. Originally, mTORC2 was identified as a rapamycin-insensitive entity, as acute exposure to rapamycin did not affect mTORC2 activity or Akt phosphorylation. It has also been shown that curcumin can inhibit the mTORC2-mediated phosphorylation of Akt/PKB at serine473, with subsequent loss of PDK1-mediated phosphorylation at threonine308.

mTOR inhibitors as therapies
mTOR inhibitors are already used in the treatment of transplant rejection. They are also beginning to be used in the treatment of cancer.