Molecular and structural mechanisms of nutrient sensing in the mTORC1 pathway

Mar 31, 2026Trends in biochemical sciences

How the mTORC1 Pathway Detects Nutrients Through Molecular and Structural Processes

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Abstract

Primary nutrient sensors bind metabolites and undergo changes that signal through pathways controlling growth.

  • Amino acids, lipids, sugars, and nucleotides are essential for the regulation of the mTORC1 pathway, which promotes cell growth and proliferation.
  • Recent proteomic and bioinformatic studies have identified key nutrient sensors that act upstream of mTORC1.
  • Structural biology has revealed how these sensors change shape upon binding metabolites, which initiates signaling responses related to mTORC1.
  • This review emphasizes the roles of amino acid and lipid sensors in nutrient detection and their signaling mechanisms.

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