Review and docking study of pentadecanoic acid as a proposed mTOR modulator in age-related female infertility
This abstract reviews mTOR signalling in ovarian aging and reports an author-performed docking analysis in which pentadecanoic acid bound the mTOR kinase domain more weakly than rapamycin; the authors propose it as a candidate modulator warranting further study. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The abstract reports that chronic mTOR hyperactivation is described as a central molecular driver of ovarian aging, affecting oocytes and cumulus cells. [1]
In the authors' docking analysis, pentadecanoic acid bound the mTOR kinase domain with -4.4 kcal/mol, while rapamycin showed a stronger affinity of -10.1 kcal/mol. [1]
The authors propose pentadecanoic acid as a promising endogenous mTOR modulator for age-related female infertility and call for further mechanistic studies and human clinical trials. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Narrative review with an original molecular docking analysis (abstract)
- Population / context
- Oocytes and cumulus cells in the context of age-related female infertility; pentadecanoic acid and rapamycin in a docking analysis
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 11, 2026
Ovarian aging and mTOR in this review
The abstract describes age-related female infertility as a major reproductive health challenge that accelerates sharply after age 34, linked mainly to declining oocyte quality, more chromosomal abnormalities and impaired embryonic development. It reports emerging evidence that chronic hyperactivation of mTOR signalling is a central molecular driver of ovarian aging, with excessive ribosome biogenesis, impaired protein homeostasis, suppressed autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in oocytes and surrounding cumulus cells. Rapamycin, a typical mTOR inhibitor, showed promising effects on ovarian function and in vitro fertilization outcomes in the cited evidence, but its teratogenic potential, immune suppression, metabolic side effects and long pre-conception washout requirements limit its use in fertility management.
Supporting source [1]
Docking result: weaker binding than rapamycin
The authors performed their own molecular docking analysis of pentadecanoic acid, an endogenous odd-chain saturated fatty acid, against the mTOR kinase domain (PDB ID: 4JSV). Pentadecanoic acid bound within the active site with a binding energy of -4.4 kcal/mol, interacting with hydrophobic residues Leu1936, Ile1939, Tyr2144, Val2227 and Gly2142. Rapamycin showed a stronger affinity of -10.1 kcal/mol. The abstract also states that available evidence indicates pentadecanoic acid activates AMP-activated protein kinase, modulates PPAR-α/δ signalling and supports cellular antioxidant defence, collectively attenuating anabolic mTOR activity while promoting autophagic recycling and metabolic homeostasis. These are described mechanisms and a computational binding result, not demonstrated fertility outcomes.
Supporting source [1]
Proposed role and need for human trials
The abstract contrasts pentadecanoic acid with rapamycin: it is endogenously produced, described as compatible with pregnancy and said to require no washout period. On this basis the authors position it as a promising endogenous mTOR modulator with potential therapeutic relevance for age-related female infertility. They explicitly call for further mechanistic investigations and well-designed human clinical trials. The abstract does not report any human fertility outcomes, and the docking analysis is computational; the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The docking analysis is computational and author-performed, and no human fertility outcomes are reported. Proposed therapeutic relevance is not evidence of benefit.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Kalfin R, Mehan S, Samant R, Tongra M, Patil H, Singh RK. · europepmc.org · August 11, 2026