Category: signaling
Master regulator of cellular growth, autophagy, and protein synthesis. mTORC1 (raptor-containing) responds to amino acids (especially leucine via Sestrin/GATOR), energy status (AMPK), and growth factors (IGF-1/insulin → PI3K → AKT → TSC1/2 → Rheb → mTORC1) — outputs include S6K1 (translation) and 4E-BP1 (cap-dependent translation initiation). mTORC2 (rictor-containing) phosphorylates AKT itself, closing a positive loop. RAPAMYCIN (and analogs sirolimus / everolimus / temsirolimus) form a complex with FKBP12 that selectively inhibits mTORC1 — the basis for their use in transplant immunosuppression + oncology (RCC, NET, TSC-associated SEGA).