Hippo signaling transduction pathway is widely conserved through evolution and controls cell growth, homeostasis, apoptosis, commitment, differentiation and senescence. It consists of a conserved kinase cascade whose final targets are the transcriptional coactivator Yorkie (Yki) in Drosophila and the homologues YAP and TAZ in mammals. These transcriptional coactivators are unable to bind DNA per se, and can regulate the activity of their target genes only in association with transcription factors. In Drosophila, Yki associates with the transcription factors Sd and Hth regulating pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic genes. In mammals instead, YAP/TAZ can associate with several distinct transcription factors. This depends from the type of signals to which cells are subjected, the cell type and the developmental stage. The transcriptional outcome resulting from this association can be either pro-apoptotic or pro-proliferative. Hippo pathway dysregulation has been associated with several pathologic conditions (tissue overgrowth, developmental defects and cancer). In particular, solid tumors show an upregulation or hyperactivation of YAP/TAZ, while several hematologic tumors are associated with YAP downregulation. This might suggest that the Hippo pathway holds the potential to be an attractive target for novel therapeutic approaches for cancer.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.