The emerging roles of YAP and TAZ in cancer

Nat Rev Cancer. 2015 Feb;15(2):73-79. doi: 10.1038/nrc3876. Epub 2015 Jan 16.

Abstract

Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are the major downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway, which regulates tissue homeostasis, organ size, regeneration and tumorigenesis. In this Progress article, we summarize the current understanding of the biological functions of YAP and TAZ, and how the regulation of these two proteins can be disrupted in cancer. We also highlight recent findings on their expanding role in cancer progression and describe the potential of these targets for therapeutic intervention.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics*
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
  • Hippo Signaling Pathway
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • ras Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • APC2 protein, human
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • GNA11 protein, human
  • GNAQ protein, human
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • KRAS protein, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins
  • WWTR1 protein, human
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • YAP1 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • STK11 protein, human
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • ras Proteins