Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 5, 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

The Multifaceted Roles of the Hippo-Yes-Associated Protein (YAP)/Transcriptional Coactivator with a PDZ-Binding Motif

Zihao Sui1, Ting Wang1, Chunling Yi2

  • 1Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20057, USA.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|July 29, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The Hippo-Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) pathway significantly impacts the tumor microenvironment. This pathway orchestrates immune cells, fibroblasts, and vasculature, offering a potential therapeutic target in cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The Hippo-Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) pathway is frequently dysregulated in various cancers.
  • This pathway's influence extends beyond tumor cells to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding how the Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway influences the TME.
  • To explore its roles in shaping tumor immunity, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and tumor vasculature.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of pathway's regulation of cytokines, chemokines, immune checkpoints, fibroblast activation, and angiogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling regulates immune cell infiltration and function by controlling cytokine and chemokine expression.
  • YAP/TAZ drives fibroblast activation, leading to matrix stiffening and promoting cancer-associated fibrosis.
  • The pathway exhibits reciprocal regulation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), influencing tumor angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • The Hippo-YAP/TAZ axis is a critical regulator of the immune, stromal, and vascular components of the TME.
  • Targeting the Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

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