mTOR Signaling: The Interface Linking Cellular Metabolism and Hepatitis B Virus Replication

Mammalian target of rapamycin(m TOR) is a conserved Ser/Thr kinase that includes m TOR complex(m TORC) 1 and m TORC2. The m TOR pathway is activated in viral hepatitis, including hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection-induced hepatitis.Currently, chronic HBV infection remains one of the most serious public health issues worldwide. The unavailability of effective therapeutic strategies for HBV suggests that clarification of the pathogenesis of HBV infection is urgently required. Increasing evidence has shown that HBV infection can activate the m TOR pathway, indicating that HBV utilizes or hijacks the m TOR pathway to benefit its own replication. Therefore, the m TOR signaling pathway might be a crucial target for controlling HBV infection. Here, we summarize and discuss the latest findings from model biology research regarding the interaction between the m TOR signaling pathway and HBV replication.