Balanced activity of the anabolic mTORC1 signalling cascade is central to maintain skeletal muscle mass and health. Hence, it is important to understand its regulation in response to different stimuli.

In study 1, we found that mTORC1 targets were regulated differentially, depending on the stimulus such as insulin, amino acids or passive stretch in mouse muscles.

In study 2, the catabolic and anabolic signalling network in muscle was assessed by taking a global approach. Our analysis revealed a complex and intertwined network that will provide a valuable resource for future research. From this resource, a muscle-specific protein was identified as a novel target of mTORC1, linking mTORC1 to the regulation of muscle oxidative capacity in response to exercise.

Altogether, the results of this PhD thesis provide novel insights into the differentiated regulation of mTORC1 targets upon various stimuli, and they may contribute considerably in the investigation of new therapeutic targets to sustain muscle mass and health.