mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is a crucial system in our cells that helps regulate growth, energy use, and building new cell components. It senses nutrients, oxygen, and energy levels to decide when the cell should grow, divide, or conserve resources. Think of mTOR as a cellular "green light" that promotes growth when conditions are good and slows down activities when resources are limited. This pathway is vital for normal development, immune function, and metabolism, and its imbalance is involved in diseases like cancer, obesity, and aging.