New insights into the ambivalent role of YAP/TAZ in human cancers
Juan Luo1, Liang Deng2, Hailin Zou1
1Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Hippo signaling was first identified in Drosophila as a key controller of organ size by regulating cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis. Subsequent studies have shown that this pathway is highly conserved in mammals, and its dysregulation is implicated in multiple events of cancer development and progression. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) (hereafter YAP/TAZ) are the downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway. YAP/TAZ overexpression or activation is sufficient to induce tumor initiation and progression, as well as recurrence and therapeutic resistance. However, there is growing evidence that YAP/TAZ also exert a tumor-suppressive function in a context-dependent manner. Therefore, caution should be taken when targeting Hippo signaling in clinical trials in the future. In this review article, we will first give an overview of YAP/TAZ and their oncogenic roles in various cancers and then systematically summarize the tumor-suppressive functions of YAP/TAZ in different contexts. Based on these findings, we will further discuss the clinical implications of YAP/TAZ-based tumor targeted therapy and potential future directions.
Insights
The Hippo pathway
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular oncology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- The Hippo signaling pathway regulates organ size by controlling cell proliferation and apoptosis.
- Dysregulation of this pathway is linked to cancer development and progression.
- Yes-associated protein (YAP) and TAZ are key downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual role of YAP/TAZ in cancer.
- To explore their oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions.
- To discuss clinical implications for targeted therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Hippo signaling and YAP/TAZ functions.
- Analysis of oncogenic roles in various cancers.
- Systematic summary of tumor-suppressive functions in different contexts.
Main Results:
- YAP/TAZ activation can promote tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance.
- YAP/TAZ also exhibit context-dependent tumor-suppressive functions.
- The dual role necessitates careful consideration for therapeutic targeting.
Conclusions:
- YAP/TAZ play complex roles in tumorigenesis, acting as both oncogenes and tumor suppressors.
- Targeting the Hippo pathway requires a nuanced approach due to YAP/TAZ's context-specific functions.
- Future research should focus on understanding these contexts for effective clinical strategies.
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