Stem cell guidance through the mechanistic target of rapamycin

Figure 1 The components of the mechanistic target of rapamycin regulatory pathways. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an important component of mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2). The function and activity of mTOR is controlled by multiple pathways that include protein kinase B (Akt), AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the hamartin (tuberous sclerosis 1)/tuberin (tuberous sclerosis 2) (TSC1/TSC2) complex. mTORC1 is consists of Raptor (Regulatory-Associated Protein of mTOR), the proline rich Akt substrate 40 kDa (PRAS40), Deptor (DEP domain-containing mTOR interacting protein), and mLST8/GβL (mammalian lethal with Sec13 protein 8, termed mLST8). mTORC2 is composed of Rictor (Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR), mLST8, Deptor, the mammalian stress-activated protein kinase interacting protein (mSIN1), and the protein observed with Rictor-1 (Protor-1).