Figure 1.Program of growth and quasi-program of aging.The TOR pathway
is activated by growth factors, hormones and nutrients. This activation is
beneficial early in life by stimulating growth and muscle hypertrophy.
Evolutionary perspective: This was especially important for prehistoric
men, living in dangerous environment that required physical strength. mTOR
is involved in aging later in life, but most men died young from accidental
death. Thus, robustness early in life is associated with accelerated aging.
