mTORC1

The role of amino acids beyond leucine, arginine, and methionine in mTORC1 activation remains unresolved. mTORC1 is framed as a central hub linking nutrients and growth signals to translation, autophagy, and ribosome production. Amino acid deprivation inhibits mTORC1 and promotes autophagy and protein degradation to replenish amino acid pools. Rag GTPases recruit mTORC1 to lysosomes, and GTP-bound Rheb activates mTORC1. Leucine and arginine are highlighted as especially important amino acids for mammalian mTORC1 activation.