mTOR Signaling in Parkinson's Disease

Neuromolecular Med. 2017 Mar;19(1):1-10. doi: 10.1007/s12017-016-8417-7. Epub 2016 Jun 4.

Abstract

As a key regulator of cell metabolism and survival, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) emerges as a novel therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease (PD). A growing body of research indicates that restoring perturbed mTOR signaling in PD models can prevent neuronal cell death. Nevertheless, molecular mechanisms underlying mTOR-mediated effects in PD have not been fully understood yet. Here, we review recent progress in characterizing the association of mTOR signaling with PD risk factors and further discuss the potential roles of mTOR in PD.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Oxidative stress; Parkinson’s disease; mTOR; α-Synuclein.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Autophagy
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / pathology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / metabolism
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Neurotoxins / toxicity
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Parkinson Disease / etiology
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / chemically induced
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / metabolism
  • Risk Factors
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • alpha-Synuclein / physiology

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neurotoxins
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases