Skip to main content

mTORC1 Complex

Meaning

The mTORC1 Complex, or mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1, is a central, evolutionarily conserved protein complex that functions as the master regulator of cellular growth, metabolism, and protein synthesis in response to nutrient availability and growth factor signaling. This complex integrates signals from hormones, amino acids, and cellular energy status to control anabolic processes like muscle protein synthesis and lipogenesis, while simultaneously inhibiting catabolic processes like autophagy. Its activity is tightly linked to insulin and IGF-1 signaling, making it a pivotal nexus in the endocrine control of metabolic health, body composition, and longevity pathways. Aberrant mTORC1 signaling is implicated in numerous diseases, including insulin resistance, cancer, and age-related muscle wasting.