The mTOR pathway is necessary for survival of mice with short telomeres.

Gene expression profiles of Terc+/+ and generation 2 (G2) Terc-/- male mice fed rapamycin or control diet during 2 months. Rapamycin diet contains encapsulated rapamycin at 42 ppm (mg of drug per kg of food); control diet contains coating material (Eudragit S100). Rapamycin was microencapsulated by Rapamycin Holdings Inc. (San Antonio, Texas) and was then incorporated into 5LG6 mouse chow (TestDiet, London, UK). Overall design: 2-3 months old Terc+/+ and G2 Terc-/- male mice were fed rapamycin or control diet during 2 months. Before sacrifice they were fasted overnight and refed during 3 hours.