2010 by Matt Kaeberlein and Lara S. Shamieh
Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase defines a highly conserved nutrient-response pathway that is known to modulate longevity in invertebrate organisms. Multiple mutations in this pathway that reduce TOR signaling have been reported to increase life span in different organisms, as has pharmacological inhibition of TOR. Multiple TOR-regulated processes are also known to play a role in longevity control, including autophagy, mRNA translation initiation, and mitochondrial metabolism. TOR signaling interacts with insulin/IGF-1 signaling via Akt kinase and maps genetically to the same longevity pathway as dietary restriction.

Studies are underway to determine whether inhibition of TOR is sufficient to increase life span in mammals. TOR-inhibitors are clinically useful in humans and may prove beneficial against multiple age-associated diseases.