REVIEW


mTOR's role in ageing: protein synthesis or autophagy?

Sarah L. Hands1, Christopher G. Proud2, Andreas Wyttenbach1
1 School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Boldrewood Campus, Basset Crescent East, SO16 7PX, UK
2 School of Biological Sciences, Human Genetics Division, University of Southampton, Duthie Building, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
Running title:
mTOR signalling and ageing
Key words:
ageing, TOR, protein synthesis, autophagy, rapamycin
Received:
05/27/09; accepted: 07/18/09; published on line: 07/20/09
Correspondence:
E-mail:

Abstract

The molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate ageing are currently under scrutiny because ageing is linked to many human diseases. The nutrient sensing TOR pathway is emerging as a key regulator of ageing. TOR signaling is complex affecting several crucial cellular functions and two such functions, which show clear effects on ageing, are protein synthesis and autophagy. In this article we discuss the relative importance of both these processes in ageing, identify how TOR regulates translation and autophagy and speculate on links between the TOR signaling network and ageing pathways.