A major role of Akt is to enhance cell survival, by blocking proapoptotic proteins, for example, Bcl‐2‐associated death promoter protein, and through effects on transcription factors, for example, forkhead box O and p53.43 Collectively, Akt‐mediated survival and proliferation strongly support mTORC1/RAPTOR interference as a potential therapeutic application for intervertebral disc disease. Here, RPTOR is linked to intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.