Rapamycin is an antifungal and immunosuppressant. Rapamycin was originally used an antifungal antibiotic. It is now known as a specific inhibitor of mTOR. Rapamycin binds to FK-binding protein 12 (FKBP12) and forms the rapamycin-FKBP12 complex, which regulates an enzyme that plays an important role in the progression of the cell cycle. Rapamycin and other inhibitors of mTORC1 signaling show potential in treating cancer, adipogenesis, diabetes, tuberous sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease.
