Drawing from the seminar presentation, I have gathered that the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signals various pathway functions and regulates critical functions in the placenta such as mitochondrial respiration and nutrient transport. Placental amino acid transporter activities are significantly decreased in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with recent experimental research evidence suggesting that the changes directly contribute to restricted fetal growth (Jansson, 2016). In this case, placental nutrient sensing is seen to have a pivotal role in the modulation on resource allocation between the mother and fetus thus affecting overall fetal growth, preventing overgrowth of the fetus and ensuring the fetus’ life-long health (Roos, Powell, & Jansson, 2009).
Given the significant role played by mTOR in regulating the function of human trophoblast, the question thus arises, “Does the nutrient-sensing signaling pathway mTOR (Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin) have other roles/applications?” To answer this question, I went online and found an article by Soliman (2013) in which he explores the role of mTOR in the signaling of complexes in immune responses. In this article, Soliman (2013) notes that mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a central role in cell differentiation, growth, metabolism, and also in the metabolism of cancer. In this case, mTOR senses energy, nutrients, insulin, environmental cues and growth factors then transmit signals to targets, which then elicit the required metabolic or cellular response. Soliman (2013), also cites the recent implication of mTOR in the regulation of adaptive and innate immune responses. This clearly indicates that mTOR has a significant impact on the immune environment, cellular metabolism, cell; differentiation and proliferation and cancer metabolism thus providing an appealing therapeutic target for various metabolic diseases as well as the early detection of cancer and corresponding therapeutic interventions.
References:
Jansson, T. (2016). Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR): A key regulator of human trophoblast function. Lecture, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus.
Roos, S., Powell, T., & Jansson, T. (2009). Placental mTOR links maternal nutrient availability to fetal growth. Biochm. Soc. Trans., 37(1), 295-298. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/bst0370295
Soliman, G. (2013). The Role of Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Complexes Signaling in the Immune Responses. Nutrients, 5(6), 2231-2257. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu5062231
