Scientists working at the Institute for Cancer Research have found a new anti-cancer target in MAP4K3, an enzyme which is able to ’switch on’ the growth-promoter mTOR.

MAP4K3 is one of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases: serine/threonine-specific protein kinases that respond to extracellular stimuli (mitogens) and regulate various cellular activities, such as gene expression, mitosis, differentiation, cell survival and apoptosis.

mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates cell growth, cell proliferation, cell motility, cell survival, protein synthesis, and transcription. It combines input from multiple upstream pathways, including insulin, growth factors and mitogens while functioning as a sensor of cellular nutrient and energy levels and redox status. Its malfunction is implicated in various human diseases, especially types of cancer.