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Published on: September 13, 2018
Hippo-YAP and mTOR pathways collaborate to regulate organ size
1Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Nature Cell Biology
|December 1, 2012
Summary
The mTOR and Hippo pathways regulate organ size. YAP was found to downregulate PTEN, promoting cell growth and tissue hyperplasia, linking these critical pathways.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Organ size is tightly regulated by complex signaling networks.
- The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Hippo signaling pathways are key regulators of cell proliferation and growth.
- Extracellular cues influence these pathways to maintain tissue homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the interplay between the mTOR and Hippo signaling pathways in organ size control.
- To investigate the role of YAP in connecting these two major signaling cascades.
Main Methods:
- This study focused on the molecular mechanisms linking the Hippo and mTOR pathways.
- Investigated the effect of YAP on PTEN expression and activity.
Main Results:
- A novel link between the Hippo and mTOR pathways was identified.
- YAP was shown to downregulate the expression of PTEN.
- This downregulation of PTEN by YAP promotes increased cell growth and tissue hyperplasia.
Conclusions:
- YAP acts as a crucial mediator, linking the Hippo and mTOR signaling pathways.
- The YAP-PTEN interaction provides a molecular basis for how extracellular signals are integrated to control organ size.
- Understanding this crosstalk is vital for comprehending developmental biology and diseases characterized by aberrant tissue growth.
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