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mTOR Signaling: New Insights into Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes and Aging

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 44301

Special Issue Editors

Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Sanger Hall, Rm # 7020B, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Interests: cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury with pharmacological agents, including mTOR inhibitor and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor; myocardial pre- and post-conditioning; cardioprotective mechanism in diabetic heart; myocardial infarction; cardiac hypertrophy; heart failure; developing a novel pharmacotherapy against doxorubicin-induced or other anti-cancer drug-induced cardiotoxicity; role of nitric oxide, protein kinase G, mTOR signaling, STAT3 signaling, specific long-non-coding RNA, and microRNA in cardioprotection; inflammation; necrosis; apoptosis; autophagy
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Guest Editor
Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Institute of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, & Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: gut microbiota; therapeutics and nutraceuticals; cardiovascular and metabolic disorders; renal diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), an atypical multidomain serine/threonine kinase of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) related kinase family, elicits a significant role in integrating intracellular and environmental cues that orchestrate gene transcription, protein synthesis, tissue regeneration and repair, oxidative stress, cell metabolism, growth, proliferation, autophagy, apoptosis, survival, and longevity. Aberrant activation of mTOR is potentially associated with the etiology of many pathological conditions, including cancer, obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary hypertension, and neurodegeneration. Based on its pathophysiological importance, the mTOR signaling pathway has attracted unprecedented attention among basic scientists and clinicians. mTOR is the core component of differently composed signaling complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, which phosphorylate distinct specific substrates. It is essential to extensively investigate the differential roles of mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling pathways in human diseases, which could be targeted selectively or in combination, to develop potential therapeutic or nutraceutical interventions to prevent or treat severe diseases and extend life span.

The editors of this Special Issue welcome original research articles, reviews, meta-analyses/systematic reviews, or shorter perspective articles as well as novel technological approaches with an emphasis on the molecular aspects of mTOR signaling in metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and aging, which would advance our knowledge to develop novel therapeutic or nutraceutical strategies to treat many human diseases.

We look forward to your contributions to this Special Issue.

Dr. Flávio Reis
Dr. Anindita Das
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Aging
  • Apoptosis and autophagy
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Diabetes and other metabolic diseases
  • Gene targets and therapeutics
  • Growth and proliferation
  • Inflammation
  • Kinases
  • mTOR signaling
  • Nutraceuticals

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

5 pages, 228 KiB  
Editorial
mTOR Signaling: New Insights into Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes and Aging
by Anindita Das and Flávio Reis
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13628; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713628 - 4 Sep 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1898
Abstract
The mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a member of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) related kinase family, integrates intracellular and environmental cues that coordinate a diverse set of cellular/tissue functions, such as cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, autophagy, apoptosis, longevity, protein/lipid/nucleotide synthesis, and tissue regeneration [...] Read more.
The mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a member of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) related kinase family, integrates intracellular and environmental cues that coordinate a diverse set of cellular/tissue functions, such as cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, autophagy, apoptosis, longevity, protein/lipid/nucleotide synthesis, and tissue regeneration and repair [...] Full article

Research

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17 pages, 7394 KiB  
Article
Single-Dose Treatment with Rapamycin Preserves Post-Ischemic Cardiac Function through Attenuation of Fibrosis and Inflammation in Diabetic Rabbit
by Arun Samidurai, Manu Saravanan, Ramzi Ockaili, Donatas Kraskauskas, Suet Ying Valerie Lau, Varun Kodali, Shakthi Ramasamy, Karthikeya Bhoopathi, Megha Nair, Sean K. Roh, Rakesh C. Kukreja and Anindita Das
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8998; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108998 - 19 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2310
Abstract
Robust activation of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling in diabetes exacerbates myocardial injury following lethal ischemia due to accelerated cardiomyocyte death with cardiac remodeling and inflammatory responses. We examined the effect of rapamycin (RAPA, mTOR inhibitor) on cardiac remodeling and inflammation following [...] Read more.
Robust activation of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling in diabetes exacerbates myocardial injury following lethal ischemia due to accelerated cardiomyocyte death with cardiac remodeling and inflammatory responses. We examined the effect of rapamycin (RAPA, mTOR inhibitor) on cardiac remodeling and inflammation following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in diabetic rabbits. Diabetic rabbits (DM) were subjected to 45 min of ischemia and 10 days of reperfusion by inflating/deflating a previously implanted hydraulic balloon occluder. RAPA (0.25 mg/kg, i.v.) or DMSO (vehicle) was infused 5 min before the onset of reperfusion. Post-I/R left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by echocardiography and fibrosis was evaluated by picrosirius red staining. Treatment with RAPA preserved LV ejection fraction and reduced fibrosis. Immunoblot and real-time PCR revealed that RAPA treatment inhibited several fibrosis markers (TGF-β, Galectin-3, MYH, p-SMAD). Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining revealed the attenuation of post-I/R NLRP3-inflammasome formation with RAPA treatment as shown by reduced aggregation of apoptosis speck-like protein with a caspase recruitment domain and active-form of caspase-1 in cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, our study suggests that acute reperfusion therapy with RAPA may be a viable strategy to preserve cardiac function with the alleviation of adverse post-infarct myocardial remodeling and inflammation in diabetic patients. Full article
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12 pages, 3138 KiB  
Communication
AI-Predicted mTOR Inhibitor Reduces Cancer Cell Proliferation and Extends the Lifespan of C. elegans
by Tinka Vidovic, Alexander Dakhovnik, Oleksii Hrabovskyi, Michael R. MacArthur and Collin Y. Ewald
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 7850; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24097850 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4996
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is one of the top drug targets for promoting health and lifespan extension. Besides rapamycin, only a few other mTOR inhibitors have been developed and shown to be capable of slowing aging. We used machine learning [...] Read more.
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is one of the top drug targets for promoting health and lifespan extension. Besides rapamycin, only a few other mTOR inhibitors have been developed and shown to be capable of slowing aging. We used machine learning to predict novel small molecules targeting mTOR. We selected one small molecule, TKA001, based on in silico predictions of a high on-target probability, low toxicity, favorable physicochemical properties, and preferable ADMET profile. We modeled TKA001 binding in silico by molecular docking and molecular dynamics. TKA001 potently inhibits both TOR complex 1 and 2 signaling in vitro. Furthermore, TKA001 inhibits human cancer cell proliferation in vitro and extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, suggesting that TKA001 is able to slow aging in vivo. Full article
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16 pages, 1949 KiB  
Article
High Glucose-Induced Cardiomyocyte Damage Involves Interplay between Endothelin ET-1/ETA/ETB Receptor and mTOR Pathway
by Sudhir Pandey, Corina T. Madreiter-Sokolowski, Supachoke Mangmool and Warisara Parichatikanond
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(22), 13816; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232213816 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2502
Abstract
Patients with type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Impairments of endothelin-1 (ET-1) signaling and mTOR pathway have been implicated in diabetic cardiomyopathies. However, the molecular interplay between the ET-1 and mTOR pathway under high glucose (HG) conditions [...] Read more.
Patients with type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Impairments of endothelin-1 (ET-1) signaling and mTOR pathway have been implicated in diabetic cardiomyopathies. However, the molecular interplay between the ET-1 and mTOR pathway under high glucose (HG) conditions in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts has not been investigated. We employed MTT assay, qPCR, western blotting, fluorescence assays, and confocal microscopy to assess the oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage under hyperglycemic conditions in H9c2 cells. Our results showed that HG-induced cellular stress leads to a significant decline in cell survival and an impairment in the activation of ETA-R/ETB-R and the mTOR main components, Raptor and Rictor. These changes induced by HG were accompanied by a reactive oxygen species (ROS) level increase and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss. In addition, the fragmentation of mitochondria and a decrease in mitochondrial size were observed. However, the inhibition of either ETA-R alone by ambrisentan or ETA-R/ETB-R by bosentan or the partial blockage of the mTOR function by silencing Raptor or Rictor counteracted those adverse effects on the cellular function. Altogether, our findings prove that ET-1 signaling under HG conditions leads to a significant mitochondrial dysfunction involving contributions from the mTOR pathway. Full article
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17 pages, 2066 KiB  
Article
GSK3β Serine 389 Phosphorylation Modulates Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy and Ischemic Injury
by Laura Vainio, Saija Taponen, Sini M. Kinnunen, Eveliina Halmetoja, Zoltan Szabo, Tarja Alakoski, Johanna Ulvila, Juhani Junttila, Päivi Lakkisto, Johanna Magga and Risto Kerkelä
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(24), 13586; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413586 - 18 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2948
Abstract
Prior studies show that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) contributes to cardiac ischemic injury and cardiac hypertrophy. GSK3β is constitutionally active and phosphorylation of GSK3β at serine 9 (S9) inactivates the kinase and promotes cellular growth. GSK3β is also phosphorylated at serine 389 [...] Read more.
Prior studies show that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) contributes to cardiac ischemic injury and cardiac hypertrophy. GSK3β is constitutionally active and phosphorylation of GSK3β at serine 9 (S9) inactivates the kinase and promotes cellular growth. GSK3β is also phosphorylated at serine 389 (S389), but the significance of this phosphorylation in the heart is not known. We analyzed GSK3β S389 phosphorylation in diseased hearts and utilized overexpression of GSK3β carrying ser→ala mutations at S9 (S9A) and S389 (S389A) to study the biological function of constitutively active GSK3β in primary cardiomyocytes. We found that phosphorylation of GSK3β at S389 was increased in left ventricular samples from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy, and in hearts of mice subjected to thoracic aortic constriction. Overexpression of either GSK3β S9A or S389A reduced the viability of cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia–reoxygenation. Overexpression of double GSK3β mutant (S9A/S389A) further reduced cardiomyocyte viability. Determination of protein synthesis showed that overexpression of GSK3β S389A or GSK3β S9A/S389A increased both basal and agonist-induced cardiomyocyte growth. Mechanistically, GSK3β S389A mutation was associated with activation of mTOR complex 1 signaling. In conclusion, our data suggest that phosphorylation of GSK3β at S389 enhances cardiomyocyte survival and protects from cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Full article
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14 pages, 4962 KiB  
Article
Biodegradable Stent with mTOR Inhibitor-Eluting Reduces Progression of Ureteral Stricture
by Dong-Ru Ho, Shih-Horng Su, Pey-Jium Chang, Wei-Yu Lin, Yun-Ching Huang, Jian-Hui Lin, Kuo-Tsai Huang, Wai-Nga Chan and Chih-Shou Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(11), 5664; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115664 - 26 May 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3383
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effect of mTOR inhibitor (mTORi) drug-eluting biodegradable stent (DE stent), a putative restenosis-inhibiting device for coronary artery, on thermal-injury-related ureteral stricture in rabbits. In vitro evaluation confirmed the dose-dependent effect of mTORi, i.e., rapamycin, on fibrotic markers [...] Read more.
In this study, we investigated the effect of mTOR inhibitor (mTORi) drug-eluting biodegradable stent (DE stent), a putative restenosis-inhibiting device for coronary artery, on thermal-injury-related ureteral stricture in rabbits. In vitro evaluation confirmed the dose-dependent effect of mTORi, i.e., rapamycin, on fibrotic markers in ureteral component cell lines. Upper ureteral fibrosis was induced by ureteral thermal injury in open surgery, which was followed by insertion of biodegradable stents, with or without rapamycin drug-eluting. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed 4 weeks after the operation to determine gross anatomy changes, collagen deposition, expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers, including Smad, α-SMA, and SNAI 1. Ureteral thermal injury resulted in severe ipsilateral hydronephrosis. The levels of type III collagen, Smad, α-SMA, and SNAI 1 were increased 28 days after ureteral thermal injury. Treatment with mTORi-eluting biodegradable stents significantly attenuated thermal injury-induced urinary tract obstruction and reduced the level of fibrosis proteins, i.e., type III collagen. TGF-β and EMT signaling pathway markers, Smad and SNAI 1, were significantly modified in DE stent-treated thermal-injury-related ureteral stricture rabbits. These results suggested that intra-ureteral administration of rapamycin by DE stent provides modification of fibrosis signaling pathway, and inhibiting mTOR may result in fibrotic process change. Full article
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Review

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29 pages, 2168 KiB  
Review
Unveiling Novel Avenues in mTOR-Targeted Therapeutics: Advancements in Glioblastoma Treatment
by Shilpi Singh, Debashis Barik, Karl Lawrie, Iteeshree Mohapatra, Sujata Prasad, Afsar R. Naqvi, Amar Singh and Gatikrushna Singh
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(19), 14960; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241914960 - 6 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2699
Abstract
The mTOR signaling pathway plays a pivotal and intricate role in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma, driving tumorigenesis and proliferation. Mutations or deletions in the PTEN gene constitutively activate the mTOR pathway by expressing growth factors EGF and PDGF, which activate their respective receptor [...] Read more.
The mTOR signaling pathway plays a pivotal and intricate role in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma, driving tumorigenesis and proliferation. Mutations or deletions in the PTEN gene constitutively activate the mTOR pathway by expressing growth factors EGF and PDGF, which activate their respective receptor pathways (e.g., EGFR and PDGFR). The convergence of signaling pathways, such as the PI3K-AKT pathway, intensifies the effect of mTOR activity. The inhibition of mTOR has the potential to disrupt diverse oncogenic processes and improve patient outcomes. However, the complexity of the mTOR signaling, off-target effects, cytotoxicity, suboptimal pharmacokinetics, and drug resistance of the mTOR inhibitors pose ongoing challenges in effectively targeting glioblastoma. Identifying innovative treatment strategies to address these challenges is vital for advancing the field of glioblastoma therapeutics. This review discusses the potential targets of mTOR signaling and the strategies of target-specific mTOR inhibitor development, optimized drug delivery system, and the implementation of personalized treatment approaches to mitigate the complications of mTOR inhibitors. The exploration of precise mTOR-targeted therapies ultimately offers elevated therapeutic outcomes and the development of more effective strategies to combat the deadliest form of adult brain cancer and transform the landscape of glioblastoma therapy. Full article
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23 pages, 739 KiB  
Review
Regulation of mTOR Signaling: Emerging Role of Cyclic Nucleotide-Dependent Protein Kinases and Implications for Cardiometabolic Disease
by Fubiao Shi and Sheila Collins
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(14), 11497; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241411497 - 15 Jul 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3655
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is a central regulator of cell growth and metabolism. It is the catalytic subunit of two distinct large protein complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. mTOR activity is subjected to tight regulation in response to [...] Read more.
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is a central regulator of cell growth and metabolism. It is the catalytic subunit of two distinct large protein complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. mTOR activity is subjected to tight regulation in response to external nutrition and growth factor stimulation. As an important mechanism of signaling transduction, the ‘second messenger’ cyclic nucleotides including cAMP and cGMP and their associated cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases, including protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase G (PKG), play essential roles in mediating the intracellular action of a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters. They have also emerged as important regulators of mTOR signaling in various physiological and disease conditions. However, the mechanism by which cAMP and cGMP regulate mTOR activity is not completely understood. In this review, we will summarize the earlier work establishing the ability of cAMP to dampen mTORC1 activation in response to insulin and growth factors and then discuss our recent findings demonstrating the regulation of mTOR signaling by the PKA- and PKG-dependent signaling pathways. This signaling framework represents a new non-canonical regulation of mTOR activity that is independent of AKT and could be a novel mechanism underpinning the action of a variety of G protein-coupled receptors that are linked to the mTOR signaling network. We will further review the implications of these signaling events in the context of cardiometabolic disease, such as obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiac remodeling. The metabolic and cardiac phenotypes of mouse models with targeted deletion of Raptor and Rictor, the two essential components for mTORC1 and mTORC2, will be summarized and discussed. Full article
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18 pages, 1782 KiB  
Review
The Importance of mTORC1-Autophagy Axis for Skeletal Muscle Diseases
by Xujun Han, Kah Yong Goh, Wen Xing Lee, Sze Mun Choy and Hong-Wen Tang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(1), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010297 - 24 Dec 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4689
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1, mTORC1, integrates nutrient and growth factor signals with cellular responses and plays critical roles in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and lifespan. mTORC1 signaling has been reported as a central regulator of autophagy by modulating almost [...] Read more.
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1, mTORC1, integrates nutrient and growth factor signals with cellular responses and plays critical roles in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and lifespan. mTORC1 signaling has been reported as a central regulator of autophagy by modulating almost all aspects of the autophagic process, including initiation, expansion, and termination. An increasing number of studies suggest that mTORC1 and autophagy are critical for the physiological function of skeletal muscle and are involved in diverse muscle diseases. Here, we review recent insights into the essential roles of mTORC1 and autophagy in skeletal muscles and their implications in human muscle diseases. Multiple inhibitors targeting mTORC1 or autophagy have already been clinically approved, while others are under development. These chemical modulators that target the mTORC1/autophagy pathways represent promising potentials to cure muscle diseases. Full article
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20 pages, 3313 KiB  
Review
Feedback, Crosstalk and Competition: Ingredients for Emergent Non-Linear Behaviour in the PI3K/mTOR Signalling Network
by Milad Ghomlaghi, Anthony Hart, Nhan Hoang, Sungyoung Shin and Lan K. Nguyen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 6944; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136944 - 28 Jun 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5203
Abstract
The PI3K/mTOR signalling pathway plays a central role in the governing of cell growth, survival and metabolism. As such, it must integrate and decode information from both external and internal sources to guide efficient decision-making by the cell. To facilitate this, the pathway [...] Read more.
The PI3K/mTOR signalling pathway plays a central role in the governing of cell growth, survival and metabolism. As such, it must integrate and decode information from both external and internal sources to guide efficient decision-making by the cell. To facilitate this, the pathway has evolved an intricate web of complex regulatory mechanisms and elaborate crosstalk with neighbouring signalling pathways, making it a highly non-linear system. Here, we describe the mechanistic biological details that underpin these regulatory mechanisms, covering a multitude of negative and positive feedback loops, feed-forward loops, competing protein interactions, and crosstalk with major signalling pathways. Further, we highlight the non-linear and dynamic network behaviours that arise from these regulations, uncovered through computational and experimental studies. Given the pivotal role of the PI3K/mTOR network in cellular homeostasis and its frequent dysregulation in pathologies including cancer and diabetes, a coherent and systems-level understanding of the complex regulation and consequential dynamic signalling behaviours within this network is imperative for advancing biology and development of new therapeutic approaches. Full article
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19 pages, 1876 KiB  
Review
mTOR Signaling in the Inner Ear as Potential Target to Treat Hearing Loss
by Maurizio Cortada, Soledad Levano and Daniel Bodmer
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(12), 6368; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126368 - 14 Jun 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8099
Abstract
Hearing loss affects many people worldwide and occurs often as a result of age, ototoxic drugs and/or excessive noise exposure. With a growing number of elderly people, the number of people suffering from hearing loss will also increase in the future. Despite the [...] Read more.
Hearing loss affects many people worldwide and occurs often as a result of age, ototoxic drugs and/or excessive noise exposure. With a growing number of elderly people, the number of people suffering from hearing loss will also increase in the future. Despite the high number of affected people, for most patients there is no curative therapy for hearing loss and hearing aids or cochlea implants remain the only option. Important treatment approaches for hearing loss include the development of regenerative therapies or the inhibition of cell death/promotion of cell survival pathways. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a central regulator of cell growth, is involved in cell survival, and has been shown to be implicated in many age-related diseases. In the inner ear, mTOR signaling has also started to gain attention recently. In this review, we will emphasize recent discoveries of mTOR signaling in the inner ear and discuss implications for possible treatments for hearing restoration. Full article
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