mTOR signaling in kidney diseases

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine protein kinase, is crucial in regulating cell growth, metabolism, proliferation and survival. Under physiologic condition, mTOR signaling maintains podocyte and tubular cell homeostasis. In acute kidney injury, activation of mTOR signaling in tubular cells and interstitial fibroblasts promotes renal regeneration and repair. However, constitutive activation of mTOR signaling in kidneys results in the initiation and progression of glomerular hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, polycystic kidney disease and renal cell carcinoma. Here, we summarize the recent studies about mTOR signaling in renal physiology and injury and discuss the possibility of which as a therapeutic target for kidney diseases.