Figure 3.

Activation of the mTOR pathway and its potential role in the targeting of microbial infections. Microbial interaction with TLRs activates the P13K > PDK > AKT > mTOR cascade, which results in mTOR activation. It promotes protein translation and the production of iNOS and interferons by phosphorylating 4E-BP1/2 (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 and 2). Microbial detection also promotes autophagy by causing the expression of beta-defensin 2 and cathelicidin. Because mTOR inhibitor is an autophagy inhibitor, it can promote autophagy and fight microbial infections.