The small inset at the top depicts the physiological regulation of mTOR signaling by a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Downstream of mTOR, several cellular processes are regulated, including protein synthesis, mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy.
A. Neurodevelopmental disease: The larger box depicts how loss of NF-1, TSC1/2, or PTEN, or environmental stimuli such as inflammation, epilepsy, or hypoxia may stimulate mTOR-dependent protein synthesis result in in a host of cellular, structural and physiological responses that culminate in clinical symptoms.
B. Neurodegenerative disease: The larger box models how changes in these factors may result in dysregulation of mTOR-dependent cellular processes, most notably autophagy, mitochondrial function and protein synthesis. Dysfunctional autophagy has been widely associated with neurodegenerative disease.