The interplay between centrosomes and the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Centrosome amplification is prevalent in human cancers, promoting tumor progression and chromosome instability.
• Extra centrosomes hinder proliferation in normal cells, indicating cancer cells must adapt to tolerate them.
• The Hippo tumor suppressor pathway is frequently inactivated in various human cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence linking the Hippo pathway to centrosome number regulation.
• To explore how Hippo pathway inactivation enables cancer cells to tolerate centrosome amplification.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on centrosome biology and the Hippo pathway in cancer.

Main Results:

• Core components of the Hippo pathway are implicated in regulating centrosome number.
• Functional inactivation of the Hippo pathway is a common adaptation in cancer cells.
• Hippo pathway inactivation likely enables cancer cells to overcome the negative effects of extra centrosomes.

Conclusions:

• The Hippo pathway plays a critical role in managing centrosome number.
• Inactivation of the Hippo pathway is a key mechanism allowing cancer cells to tolerate centrosome amplification.
• Targeting the Hippo pathway may offer therapeutic strategies for cancers with centrosome amplification.