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Monitoring Hippo Signaling Pathway Activity Using a Luciferase-based Large Tumor Suppressor (LATS) Biosensor
Published on: September 13, 2018
The Hippo pathway in biological control and cancer development
Siew Wee Chan1, Chun Jye Lim, Liming Chen
1Cancer and Developmental Cell Biology Division, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
Journal of Cellular Physiology
|October 15, 2010
Summary
The Hippo pathway regulates organ size and cell growth. Its deregulation is linked to cancer, prompting research into its core components and their interactions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The Hippo pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling cascade crucial for organ size control and cell contact inhibition.
- Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway is implicated in the development of various cancers.
- Key components were identified in Drosophila and mammals, revealing a conserved kinase cascade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding the Hippo pathway.
- To elucidate the communication mechanisms among core Hippo pathway proteins.
- To explore the link between Hippo pathway dysregulation and cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on the Hippo pathway.
- Analysis of protein interactions and signaling cascades within the pathway.
- Focus on the phosphorylation and inactivation of downstream transcriptional co-activators.
Main Results:
- The core kinase components (Hippo, Salvador, Warts, Mats in flies; Mst1/2, WW45, Lats1/2, Mob1 in mammals) phosphorylate and inactivate Yorkie, YAP, and TAZ.
- Phosphorylated Yorkie, YAP, and TAZ are sequestered in the cytoplasm via 14-3-3 protein interactions.
- Recent discoveries have significantly advanced the understanding of pathway regulation and its role in disease.
Conclusions:
- The Hippo pathway's intricate protein interactions are vital for maintaining cellular homeostasis.
- Loss of Hippo pathway regulation is a significant factor in cancer development.
- Continued research into this pathway offers potential therapeutic targets for cancer.
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