Emerging Role of Hippo-YAP (Yes-Associated Protein)/TAZ (Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif) Pathway

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Varsha Mondal1, Paul J Higgins1, Rohan Samarakoon1

  • 1Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208-3479, USA.

Cancers
|August 10, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway is crucial in kidney cancer (RCC) progression. Inhibiting YAP/TAZ shows therapeutic promise for treating this aggressive cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • The Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway's role in kidney cancer (RCC) is not well-defined.
  • RCC is the most common kidney tumor, characterized by poor prognosis and high mortality.
  • Hippo pathway inactivation promotes YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation, driving neoplastic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the involvement of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway in kidney cancer progression.
  • To explore upstream regulators and downstream effects of Hippo pathway deregulation in renal cancer.
  • To highlight YAP/TAZ as potential therapeutic targets for kidney cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on the Hippo pathway in RCC.
  • Analysis of studies investigating LATS kinase, YAP/TAZ, and TEAD interactions in renal cancer.
  • Evaluation of preclinical data on YAP/TAZ inhibition in RCC models.

Main Results:

  • Loss of LATS1/2 kinase expression and YAP/TAZ activation correlate with poor RCC patient survival.
  • Renal-specific LATS1 ablation in mice induces RCC development in a YAP/TAZ-dependent manner.
  • Genetic and pharmacological YAP/TAZ inactivation reverses oncogenic potential in LATS1-deficient mice.

Conclusions:

  • The Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway is a key driver of kidney cancer progression.
  • Targeting YAP/TAZ offers a promising therapeutic strategy for renal cell carcinoma.
  • Further research into Hippo pathway modulation could improve RCC treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
LATS1/2MSTTEADYAP/TAZclear cell RCCcore hippo pathwaygrowth factorskidney cancertumorigenesis

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