Lecture Notes on mTOR Inhibition and Longevity

Key Concepts

• mTOR and Longevity

  • mTOR inhibition is linked to increased longevity.
  • Autophagy is a central process between mTOR inhibition and longevity.

• Autophagy

  • A cellular process where the cell renews itself by breaking down old components (mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, membrane).
  • Important for recycling parts to maintain cellular function, contributing to organism longevity.

Rapamycin and mTOR

• mTOR

  • Stands for 'mammalian target of rapamycin'.
  • Promotes cell growth, possibly reducing lifespan.
  • Named after the drug rapamycin as it is the target.

• Rapamycin

  • Inhibits mTOR, promoting autophagy.
  • Animal studies suggest rapamycin can extend lifespan by up to 60%.
  • It is thought to have an anti-aging effect due to enhanced autophagy.

Challenges in Research

• Animal vs. Human Studies
  • Animal studies are controlled, eliminating all variables.
  • Animals live in sterile environments without physical challenges, raising concerns when extrapolating to humans.
  • No human studies demonstrate rapamycin extending lifespan or preventing age-related diseases.
  • Human longevity research is impractical due to the inability to control human environments as with animals.

Conclusion

• Enthusiasm for rapamycin in human longevity is based on animal studies, not human evidence.
• There is skepticism regarding the application of animal data to human longevity due to the controlled conditions of animal studies.