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Drug reverses autism-like brain changes in adult mice within hours, study finds

Researchers found that a single dose of rapamycin rapidly improved symptoms in adult mice with autism-like changes, reversing abnormal brain signaling and behavior within two hours. The study suggests the adult brain's functional circuitry, not just its physical structure, as a target for future treatment approaches.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 23, 2026

Cholesterol-craving cancers need lipid enzymes to use metabolites for growth

Researchers discover that kinases play a crucial role in moving cholesterol to activate a growth pathway in aggressive cancers. Without these enzymes, cancer cells are blocked from fueling tumor growth. The study highlights the importance of targeting lipid enzymes as a potential treatment strategy for cancers with TP53 mutations.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2026

Tumor dormancy initiated by lymphovascular embolus

Researchers discovered that tumor dormancy in breast cancer can be triggered by specific signaling changes within small cell clusters, called tumor emboli. Key mechanisms include reduced activity of mTOR and structural shifts in E-cadherin, which are regulated by the PI3K pathway.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeNews article·DateOct 30, 2024

New insights into osteoporosis

A research team from Osaka University identified a key osteoporosis-related gene, Men1, and developed a new animal model of the disease. The study found that inactivation of Men1 led to cellular senescence in osteoblasts, reducing bone formation activity and increasing bone resorption.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAging Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2024

Aging speeds up and lifetime becomes shorter in animals whose cells ‘believe’ to have too many nutrients, despite following a normal diet

In animal models, increasing mTOR activity just slightly accelerates aging and shortens lifetime by up to 20%. This research provides clues on why obesity-related diseases worsen with age. A new model allows researchers to study the relationship between nutrient increase and organ aging.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2024

Cancer prevention with rapamycin

Researchers discuss rapamycin's potential to delay cancer onset by slowing cell proliferation and tumor progression. The mTOR pathway is involved in both cancer and aging, making rapamycin a promising chemopreventive agent.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 17, 2023

Taming Overactive mTOR in Renal Cell Cancer

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a novel mechanism of tumor formation in kidney cancers, highlighting the role of overactive mTORC1 signaling pathway and loss of the TSC tumor suppressor gene. Activation of microphthalmia transcription factors (MITF) family by unopposed mTOR signaling may lead to abnormal cell gr...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2023

Aging | Lamin A to Z in normal aging

A new study suggests that prelamin A, a precursor of lamin A, accumulates with age and may drive normal aging. Researchers propose this protein as a target for intervention strategies to extend healthspan and lifespan.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 9, 2022

A key regulator of cell growth deciphered

A team from the University of Geneva has identified the structure of the SEA complex, a key regulator of cell growth, and how it controls the activity of the major regulator of cell growth, mTOR. The discovery provides new insights into how cells perceive nutrient levels to regulate their growth.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateOct 27, 2022

Why does fasting reduce seizures?

A new study published in Cell Reports has identified the molecular pathways responsible for reduced seizures during fasting. The researchers found that amino acid sensing plays a critical role in the beneficial effects of fasting on seizures, suggesting targeted dietary strategies may be effective for patients without DEPDC5 mutations.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 8, 2022

CNIC scientists uncover opposing roles of p38 proteins in cardiac hypertrophy

A study by CNIC scientists has identified a key role for the MKK3/6–p38γ/δ signaling pathway in cardiac hypertrophy. Inhibition of p38α promotes an unexpected activation of the other branch of the pathway, consisting of the proteins MKK3, p38γ, and p38δ. This activation induces another key pathway in cardiac hypertrophy, the mTOR pathway.

Rapamycin increases Alzheimer’s-associated plaques in mice, study finds

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio found that rapamycin causes an increase in beta-amyloid protein plaques in mouse models, contradicting its potential benefits. However, a novel method to decrease plaques was discovered by deleting the Tsc1 gene from microglia, leading to increased Trem2 levels and decreased plaques.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

Aging-US: Hallmarks of cancer and hallmarks of aging

The article proposes a new framework for understanding the hallmarks of cancer and aging, highlighting their shared underlying principles. Dr. Blagosklonny's hyperfunction theory arranges these hallmarks in a hierarchical structure, revealing common signaling pathways involved in both aging and cancer.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 18, 2022

Study unveils novel crosstalk mechanism between mitochondrial translation and cytoplasmic translation

A recent study reveals a novel crosstalk mechanism between mitochondrial translation and cytoplasmic translation, essential for spermatogenesis. The mTOR signaling pathway helps balance the dynamic between mitochondrial translation and cytoplasmic translation, preventing negative impacts on protein quality and half-life.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateApr 14, 2016