The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a member of the ATM-related family of kinases. The mTOR kinase has been found to play a central role in integrating signals that relay information pertaining to the conditions of the extracellular environment. In response to energy stress, hypoxia stress, and the availability of nutrients, growth factors, and hormones, mTOR signaling directs the modulation of a number of cellular processes. The modulation of processes such as translation initiation, ribosome biogenesis, and transcription ultimately leads to responses in cytoskeletal dynamics and organization, cellular growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. mTOR signaling is mediated by two mTOR complexes (mTORC): mTORC1 and mTORC2. The mTORC1 and mTORC2 are defined by the association of the mTOR kinase with either raptor (mTORC1) or rictor (mTORC2). Dysregulation of the mTOR pathway has been observed in a range of human malignancies; thus, the mTOR kinase is considered to be a promising target for cancer therapies.

Selected Reviews

1. K. Inoki et al., "Signaling by Target of Rapamycin Proteins in Cell Growth Control," Microbiol.Mol Biol Rev. 69, no. 1 (2005): 79-100.
2. D. A. Foster and A. Toschi, "Targeting MTOR with Rapamycin: One Dose Does Not Fit All," Cell Cycle. 8, no. 7 (2009): 1026-1029.