mTOR signaling in cellular and organismal energetics

Mammalian TOR (mTOR) signaling controls growth, metabolism and energy homeostasis in a cell autonomous manner. Recent findings indicate that mTOR signaling in one tissue can also affect other organs thereby affecting whole body metabolism and energy homeostasis in a non-cell autonomous manner. It is thus not surprising that mTOR signaling mediates aging and is often deregulated in metabolic disorders, such as obesity, diabetes and cancer. This review discusses the regulation of cellular and whole body energy metabolism by mTOR, with particular focus on the non-cell autonomous function of mTOR.