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Updated: May 21, 2026

Monitoring Hippo Signaling Pathway Activity Using a Luciferase-based Large Tumor Suppressor (LATS) Biosensor
Published on: September 13, 2018
Regulators of mammalian Hippo pathway in cancer
Angela M Liu1, Kwong-Fai Wong, Xiaoou Jiang
1Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract:
Hippo pathway, originally discovered in Drosophila, is responsible for organ size control. The pathway is conserved in mammals and has a significant role in restraining cancer development. Regulating the Hippo pathway thus represents a potential therapeutic approach to treat cancer, which however requires deep understanding of the targeted pathway. Despite our limited knowledge on the pathway, there are increasing discoveries of new molecules that regulate and modulate the Hippo downstream signaling particularly in various solid malignancies, from extracellular stimuli or via pathway crosstalk. Herein, we discuss the roles of newly identified and key regulators that connect with core components (MST1/2, LATS1/2, SAV1, and MOB1) and downstream effector (YAP) in the Hippo pathway having an important role in cancer development and progression. Understanding of the mammalian Hippo pathway regulation may shed new insights to allow us selecting the right oncogenic targets and designing effective drugs for cancer treatments.
Insights
The Hippo pathway controls organ size and restrains cancer. Understanding its regulators, like YAP, offers new therapeutic targets for effective cancer drug development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The Hippo pathway, conserved from Drosophila to mammals, is crucial for organ size control.
- This pathway plays a significant role in restraining cancer development.
- Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway is implicated in various solid malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss newly identified and key regulators of the Hippo pathway.
- To explore the connection of these regulators with core Hippo components (MST1/2, LATS1/2, SAV1, MOB1) and the downstream effector YAP.
- To highlight the role of these regulators in cancer development and progression.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on Hippo pathway regulators.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms connecting regulators to core Hippo pathway components.
- Discussion of pathway crosstalk and extracellular stimuli influencing Hippo signaling.
Main Results:
- Identification of novel molecules modulating Hippo pathway signaling.
- Elucidation of connections between regulators and core Hippo pathway components (MST1/2, LATS1/2, SAV1, MOB1) and YAP.
- Demonstration of the pathway's role in cancer development and progression.
Conclusions:
- Understanding mammalian Hippo pathway regulation is key for cancer therapy.
- New insights may enable selection of appropriate oncogenic targets.
- Effective drug design for cancer treatment can be advanced through this knowledge.
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