Anabolism

P70-S6 Kinase 1

Gene

mTORC2

Biogenesis

Enzyme

Apoptosis

Autophagy

Mechanistic target of rapamycin

Ribosome biogenesis

Lysosome

TOR signaling

RPTOR

Genetics

Biochemistry

Signal transduction

Intracellular

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Biology

Ribosome

Cell biology

mTORC1

Journal of Cell Science

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway coordinates environmental and intracellular cues to control eukaryotic cell growth. As a pivot point between anabolic and catabolic processes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling has established roles in regulating metabolism, translation and autophagy. Hyperactivity of the mTOR pathway is associated with numerous human diseases, including diabetes, cancer and epilepsy. Pharmacological inhibition of the mTOR pathway can extend lifespan in a variety of model organisms. Given its broad control of essential cellular processes and clear relevance to human health, there is extensive interest in elucidating how upstream inputs regulate mTORC1 activation. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster, we summarize our understanding of how extracellular and intracellular signals feed into the mTOR pathway, how the lysosome acts as an mTOR signaling hub, and how downstream signaling controls autophagy and lysosome biogenesis.

Nutrient regulation of mTORC1 at a glance