Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling pathway (mTORC1 signaling pathway)

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway integrates signals from amino acids—primarily leucine—as well as energy and growth factors to regulate cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism.[4][1] Leucine activates mTORC1 through direct mechanisms (via sensing by Sestrin2 and leucyl-tRNA synthetase)[4][2] and indirectly via its metabolism to acetyl-CoA, which further regulates mTORC1 activity in a cell-type-specific manner[3]. mTORC1 coordinates protein synthesis, cell growth, and metabolic adaptation, and its dysregulation is linked to cancer, metabolic disease, and age-related pathologies. While mTORC1 itself is a major drug target, the pathway described here encompasses both upstream metabolic events (leucine metabolism) and downstream signaling; thus, as a whole, it is not a single molecular target but rather a critical regulatory network.

Other names

mTOR signaling pathwaymTORC1 pathwayLeucine-stimulated mTORC1 signalingLeucine-mTOR pathway

Inhibition of mTOR kinase activity (suppresses protein synthesis and cell growth) and indirect modulation via amino acid mimetics or leucine analogues (modulates leucine sensing and thus mTORC1 activation).