Weighing In on mTOR Complex 2 Signaling: The Expanding Role in Cell Metabolism

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 Oct 30:2018:7838647. doi: 10.1155/2018/7838647. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

In all eukaryotes, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling emerges as a master regulator of homeostasis, which integrates environmental inputs, including nutrients, energy, and growth factors, to regulate many fundamental cellular processes such as cell growth and metabolism. mTOR signaling functions through two structurally and functionally distinct complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2), which correspond to two major branches of signal output. While mTORC1 is well characterized for its structure, regulation, and function in the last decade, information of mTORC2 signaling is only rapidly expanding in recent years, from structural biology, signaling network, to functional impact. Here we review the recent advances in many aspects of the mTORC2 signaling, with particular focus on its involvement in the control of cell metabolism and its physiological implications in metabolic diseases and aging.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Animals
  • Homeostasis*
  • Humans
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 / metabolism*
  • Metabolic Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2