YAP/TAZ in the nervous system: Key regulatory and therapeutic implications in neurological disorders

In recent years, an increasing number of studies have highlighted YAP/TAZ, the downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway, as promising therapeutic targets for various neurological diseases. Although YAP/TAZ signaling pathway involves multiple complex cascades of signal transduction, their specific functions across various cell types and microenvironments remain inadequately understood. Particularly in the nervous system, our comprehension of how YAP/TAZ regulates the physiological activities of diverse neural cell types, and thereby influences the onset and progression of neurological diseases, is still limited. This review investigates YAP/TAZ's function and regulation, summarizing evidence that linking them to essential regulatory processes within the nervous system. It analyzes their roles across various neuronal cell types and explores their interactions with multiple signaling pathways. Furthermore, the review details the involvement of YAP/TAZ in a range of neurological disorders, emphasizing their potential as crucial mediators in these conditions. These insights point to potential therapeutic strategies that target YAP/TAZ for the treatment of neurological diseases.