The Roles of mTOR Complexes in Lipid Metabolism

Alexandre Caron, Denis Richard, Mathieu Laplante

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

223 Scopus citations

Abstract

The synthesis of lipids in response to food intake represents a key advantage that allows organisms to survive when energy availability is limited. In mammals, circulating levels of insulin and nutrients, which fluctuate between fasting and feeding, dictate whether lipids are synthesized or catabolized by tissues. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a kinase that is activated by anabolic signals, plays fundamental roles in regulating lipid biosynthesis and metabolism in response to nutrition. The mTOR kinase nucleates two large protein complexes named mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). Following their activation, these complexes facilitate the accumulation of triglycerides by promoting adipogenesis and lipogenesis and by shutting down catabolic processes such as lipolysis and β-oxidation. Here, we review and discuss the roles of mTOR complexes in various aspects of lipid metabolism in mammals. We also use this opportunity to discuss the implication of these relations to the maintenance of systemic lipid homeostasis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)321-348
Number of pages28
JournalAnnual review of nutrition
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 17 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adipogenesis
  • Lipid metabolism
  • Lipogenesis
  • MTOR

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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