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.

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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