The mTOR–Autophagy Axis and the Control of Metabolism

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), master regulator of cellular metabolism, exists in two distinct complexes: mTOR complex 1 and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC1 and 2). MTORC1 is a master switch for most energetically onerous processes in the cell, driving cell growth and building cellular biomass i...

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Main Authors: Nerea Deleyto-Seldas, Alejo Efeyan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.655731/full
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author Nerea Deleyto-Seldas
Alejo Efeyan
author_facet Nerea Deleyto-Seldas
Alejo Efeyan
author_sort Nerea Deleyto-Seldas
collection DOAJ
description The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), master regulator of cellular metabolism, exists in two distinct complexes: mTOR complex 1 and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC1 and 2). MTORC1 is a master switch for most energetically onerous processes in the cell, driving cell growth and building cellular biomass in instances of nutrient sufficiency, and conversely, allowing autophagic recycling of cellular components upon nutrient limitation. The means by which the mTOR kinase blocks autophagy include direct inhibition of the early steps of the process, and the control of the lysosomal degradative capacity of the cell by inhibiting the transactivation of genes encoding structural, regulatory, and catalytic factors. Upon inhibition of mTOR, autophagic recycling of cellular components results in the reactivation of mTORC1; thus, autophagy lies both downstream and upstream of mTOR. The functional relationship between the mTOR pathway and autophagy involves complex regulatory loops that are significantly deciphered at the cellular level, but incompletely understood at the physiological level. Nevertheless, genetic evidence stemming from the use of engineered strains of mice has provided significant insight into the overlapping and complementary metabolic effects that physiological autophagy and the control of mTOR activity exert during fasting and nutrient overload.
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spelling doaj.art-6145f10101a84162a4ba92595257e3c42022-12-21T18:27:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2021-07-01910.3389/fcell.2021.655731655731The mTOR–Autophagy Axis and the Control of MetabolismNerea Deleyto-SeldasAlejo EfeyanThe mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), master regulator of cellular metabolism, exists in two distinct complexes: mTOR complex 1 and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC1 and 2). MTORC1 is a master switch for most energetically onerous processes in the cell, driving cell growth and building cellular biomass in instances of nutrient sufficiency, and conversely, allowing autophagic recycling of cellular components upon nutrient limitation. The means by which the mTOR kinase blocks autophagy include direct inhibition of the early steps of the process, and the control of the lysosomal degradative capacity of the cell by inhibiting the transactivation of genes encoding structural, regulatory, and catalytic factors. Upon inhibition of mTOR, autophagic recycling of cellular components results in the reactivation of mTORC1; thus, autophagy lies both downstream and upstream of mTOR. The functional relationship between the mTOR pathway and autophagy involves complex regulatory loops that are significantly deciphered at the cellular level, but incompletely understood at the physiological level. Nevertheless, genetic evidence stemming from the use of engineered strains of mice has provided significant insight into the overlapping and complementary metabolic effects that physiological autophagy and the control of mTOR activity exert during fasting and nutrient overload.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.655731/fullautophagymechanistic target of rapamycinlysosomemetabolismnutrients
spellingShingle Nerea Deleyto-Seldas
Alejo Efeyan
The mTOR–Autophagy Axis and the Control of Metabolism
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
autophagy
mechanistic target of rapamycin
lysosome
metabolism
nutrients
title The mTOR–Autophagy Axis and the Control of Metabolism
title_full The mTOR–Autophagy Axis and the Control of Metabolism
title_fullStr The mTOR–Autophagy Axis and the Control of Metabolism
title_full_unstemmed The mTOR–Autophagy Axis and the Control of Metabolism
title_short The mTOR–Autophagy Axis and the Control of Metabolism
title_sort mtor autophagy axis and the control of metabolism
topic autophagy
mechanistic target of rapamycin
lysosome
metabolism
nutrients
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.655731/full
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