Western blotting showed the expression of mTOR, RAPTOR, RICTOR, p70/S6K, and Akt and the phosphorylation of mTOR, p70/S6K, and Akt in all patient samples with 19 to 81 in ages and 2 to 5 in degeneration grades.80, 98 Regression analysis demonstrated age‐dependent decreases in Akt expression and phosphorylation levels.80 Furthermore, mTOR, p70/S6K, and Akt expression and phosphorylation were increased in Pfirrmann53 grade‐3 discs.98 Despite the elevated interest in mTOR signaling,42 its involvement in disc degeneration remains largely unknown. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.