P42345

mTOR also known as SKS, FRAP, RAPT1 is a pivotal serine/threonine kinase that plays a critical role in regulating cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and autophagy by integrating signals from nutrients, growth factors, and cellular energy status. Located primarily in the cytoplasm, mTOR functions within two distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, each orchestrating different cellular processes essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to environmental cues. The structure of mTOR, featuring a conserved kinase domain and multiple regulatory regions, is fundamental for its ability to phosphorylate downstream targets such as S6 kinase and 4E-BP1, thereby controlling protein synthesis and cell cycle progression. Post-translational modifications, including autophosphorylation at Ser2481 and phosphorylation at Ser2448 by p70S6 kinase, are crucial for regulating mTOR activity and its interactions with other proteins.