mTOR signaling helps control daily gene activity rhythms in mouse liver

Signaling through the nutrient-sensing kinase mTOR is necessary and sufficient for food-driven rhythmic gene expression in the liver.

• Rhythmic gene expression is crucial for the daily organization of biological processes.
• Circadian clocks regulate cycling transcriptomes, but food-driven signals can initiate them independently.
• Acute inhibition of mTOR disrupts the phase of mTOR-driven rhythmic genes without affecting those controlled by the circadian clock.
• Alignment of mTOR activity with the circadian cycle is important for maintaining rhythmic gene expression.
• Misalignment between circadian signals and systemic signals may contribute to disease.

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