The Hippo-YAP pathway in organ size control and tumorigenesis: an updated version

Genes Dev. 2010 May;24(9):862-74. doi: 10.1101/gad.1909210.

Abstract

The Hippo signaling pathway is gaining recognition as an important player in both organ size control and tumorigenesis, which are physiological and pathological processes that share common cellular signaling mechanisms. Upon activation by stimuli such as high cell density in cell culture, the Hippo pathway kinase cascade phosphorylates and inhibits the Yes-associated protein (YAP)/TAZ transcription coactivators representing the major signaling output of the pathway. Altered gene expression resulting from YAP/TAZ inhibition affects cell number by repressing cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis, thereby limiting organ size. Recent studies have provided new insights into the Hippo signaling pathway, elucidating novel phosphorylation-dependent and independent mechanisms of YAP/Yki inhibition by the Hippo pathway, new Hippo pathway components, novel YAP target transcription factors and target genes, and the three-dimensional structure of the YAP-TEAD complex, and providing further evidence for the involvement of YAP and the Hippo pathway in tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Trans-Activators / chemistry
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • Yki protein, Drosophila
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • hpo protein, Drosophila