The two TORCs and Akt

The regulatory circuits that control the activities of the two distinct target of rapamycin (TOR) complexes, TORC1 and TORC2, and of Akt have been a focus of intense research in recent years. It has become increasingly evident that these regulatory circuits control some of the most fundamental aspects of metabolism, cell growth, proliferation, survival, and differentiation at both the cellular and organismal levels. As such, they also play a pivotal role in the genesis of diseases including cancer, diabetes, aging, and degenerative diseases. This review highlights recent developments aimed at deciphering the interplay between Akt and mTORCs as well as their role in embryonic development and in cancer.