The mammalian target of rapamycin, sometimes also referred to as the mechanistic target of rapamycin and FK506-binding protein 12-rapamycin-associated protein 1, is a kinase that in humans is encoded by the MTOR gene. mTOR is a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase family of protein kinases. mTORC1 positively regulates cell growth and proliferation by promoting many anabolic processes, including biosynthesis of proteins, lipids and organelles, and by limiting catabolic processes such as autophagy. Much of the knowledge about mTORC1 function comes from the use of the bacterial macrolide rapamycin. mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) senses nutrients, energy and oxidation pathways and controls the manufacture of proteins with messengerRNA and ribosomes. ... mTOR is, also, stimulated by insulin, growth factors, blood factors, phosphatidic acids and oxidative processes.