The role of the mTOR pathway in regulating food intake.

Abstract

mTOR is a principal effector of nutrient action, integrating nutritional inputs from glucose, amino acids and fatty acids, as well as growth factor and hormonal signals. The mTOR signaling pathway plays a vital role in regulating cell growth and proliferation, and has been studied extensively in a variety of metabolic and cancer models. However, only recently has the mTOR signaling pathway become implicated in the regulation of food intake. This review focuses on recent studies describing the role of hypothalamic and gastric mTOR signaling in suppressing food intake, and discusses the potential mechanisms through which this regulation occurs.