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Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Monitoring Hippo Signaling Pathway Activity Using a Luciferase-based Large Tumor Suppressor LATS Biosensor
07:16

Monitoring Hippo Signaling Pathway Activity Using a Luciferase-based Large Tumor Suppressor LATS Biosensor

Published on: September 13, 2018

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Hippo Signaling in Cancer: Lessons From Drosophila Models

Kirti Snigdha1, Karishma Sanjay Gangwani1, Gauri Vijay Lapalikar2

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|June 25, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The Hippo pathway regulates organ size and is crucial in tumorigenesis. Its dysregulation, particularly YAP/TAZ activation, drives cancer progression, metastasis, and chemo-resistance, with complex roles in the tumor microenvironment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • The Hippo pathway, identified in fruit flies, regulates organ size and homeostasis.
  • It involves tumor suppressor genes (e.g., hippo, warts) and oncogenes (e.g., yorkie).
  • Mammalian YAP and TAZ are key effectors, often activated in human cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Hippo signaling in cancer growth and progression.
  • To explore connections between Hippo signaling, inflammation, and the tumor microenvironment.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Hippo pathway involvement in tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent findings from studies, including those in the model organism *Drosophila*.
  • Analysis of the role of Hippo signaling in relation to inflammation and tumor microenvironment.
  • Examination of interactions with other oncogenic signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Hippo signaling deficiency can lead to YAP/TAZ-dependent oncogene addiction in cancer cells.
  • Activated YAP and TAZ are implicated in inducing cancer stem cells, proliferation, metastasis, and chemo-resistance.
  • Complex mechanisms involving the tumor microenvironment and signaling cues can override YAP/TAZ inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • The Hippo pathway plays a significant role in cancer, with YAP/TAZ activation being a key driver.
  • Understanding Hippo signaling's intricate connections to inflammation and the tumor microenvironment is crucial for defining its role in cancer progression.
  • Further research is needed to fully define the molecular roles of the Hippo pathway in tumor growth and therapeutic resistance.
Keywords:
Drosophilacancercell deathcell proliferationcell-polarityhippo pathway

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