The Role of mTOR in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

<b>Background:</b> Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive, and incurable disease characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis. Recent studies have explored a possible link between ALS pathophysiology and mTOR signaling. Recent reports have linked the accumulation of...

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Main Authors: José Augusto Nogueira-Machado, Fabiana Rocha-Silva, Nathalia Augusta Gomes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/4/952
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author José Augusto Nogueira-Machado
Fabiana Rocha-Silva
Nathalia Augusta Gomes
author_facet José Augusto Nogueira-Machado
Fabiana Rocha-Silva
Nathalia Augusta Gomes
author_sort José Augusto Nogueira-Machado
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive, and incurable disease characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis. Recent studies have explored a possible link between ALS pathophysiology and mTOR signaling. Recent reports have linked the accumulation of protein aggregates, dysfunctional mitochondria, and homeostasis to the development of ALS. mTOR plays a pivotal role in controlling autophagy and affecting energy metabolism, in addition to supporting neuronal growth, plasticity, and the balance between apoptosis and autophagy, all of which are important for homeostasis. <b>Aim:</b> This mini-review approaches the regulatory roles of mTOR signaling pathways, their interaction with other metabolic pathways, and their potential to modulate ALS progression. <b>Significance:</b> It discusses how these metabolic signaling pathways affect the neuromuscular junction, producing symptoms of muscle weakness and atrophy similar to those seen in patients with ALS. The discussion includes the concepts of neurocentric and peripheral and the possible connection between mTOR and neuromuscular dysfunction in ALS. <b>Conclusions:</b> It highlights the therapeutic potential of mTOR signaling and interconnections with other metabolic routes, making it a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for ALS.
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spelling doaj-art-86a5e3366bbc46c893d86b64d99669002025-08-20T03:14:16ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-04-0113495210.3390/biomedicines13040952The Role of mTOR in Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisJosé Augusto Nogueira-Machado0Fabiana Rocha-Silva1Nathalia Augusta Gomes2Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Program in Medicine/Biomedicine, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte College, Belo Horizonte 30110-005, BrazilStricto Sensu Postgraduate Program in Medicine/Biomedicine, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte College, Belo Horizonte 30110-005, BrazilStricto Sensu Postgraduate Program in Medicine/Biomedicine, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte College, Belo Horizonte 30110-005, Brazil<b>Background:</b> Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive, and incurable disease characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis. Recent studies have explored a possible link between ALS pathophysiology and mTOR signaling. Recent reports have linked the accumulation of protein aggregates, dysfunctional mitochondria, and homeostasis to the development of ALS. mTOR plays a pivotal role in controlling autophagy and affecting energy metabolism, in addition to supporting neuronal growth, plasticity, and the balance between apoptosis and autophagy, all of which are important for homeostasis. <b>Aim:</b> This mini-review approaches the regulatory roles of mTOR signaling pathways, their interaction with other metabolic pathways, and their potential to modulate ALS progression. <b>Significance:</b> It discusses how these metabolic signaling pathways affect the neuromuscular junction, producing symptoms of muscle weakness and atrophy similar to those seen in patients with ALS. The discussion includes the concepts of neurocentric and peripheral and the possible connection between mTOR and neuromuscular dysfunction in ALS. <b>Conclusions:</b> It highlights the therapeutic potential of mTOR signaling and interconnections with other metabolic routes, making it a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for ALS.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/4/952amyotrophic lateral sclerosisALSmTORmetabolic signalinggenetic biomarkersneurodegenerative diseases
spellingShingle José Augusto Nogueira-Machado
Fabiana Rocha-Silva
Nathalia Augusta Gomes
The Role of mTOR in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Biomedicines
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ALS
mTOR
metabolic signaling
genetic biomarkers
neurodegenerative diseases
title The Role of mTOR in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
title_full The Role of mTOR in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
title_fullStr The Role of mTOR in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
title_full_unstemmed The Role of mTOR in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
title_short The Role of mTOR in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
title_sort role of mtor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
topic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ALS
mTOR
metabolic signaling
genetic biomarkers
neurodegenerative diseases
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/4/952
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