Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in angiogenesis

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Angiogenesis involves dynamic endothelial cell (EC) behaviors and specialized cell types like tip, stalk, and phalanx cells.
• The Hippo-Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcription activator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ) signaling pathway is vital for development and organ size regulation.
• Recent findings indicate YAP expression in developing retinal vessels, highlighting Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in blood vessel development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize current understanding of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway's role in angiogenesis.
• To explore how this pathway influences endothelial cell sprouting and junction maturation.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in angiogenesis.
• Analysis of the molecular mechanisms involving LATS1/2, angiomotin (AMOT) family, and YAP/TAZ activities.

Main Results:

• Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling is critical for regulating EC shapes and behaviors during angiogenesis.
• This pathway modulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics and EC junction stability.
• LATS1/2-mediated AMOT family and YAP/TAZ activities are key players in EC morphology and function.

Conclusions:

• Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling is a significant pathway in blood vessel development.
• Understanding this pathway provides insights into EC sprouting and junction maturation processes.
• The pathway's role in modulating EC dynamics is essential for successful angiogenesis.