Fig. 1
From: Hippo pathway in cell–cell communication: emerging roles in development and regeneration
Molecular functions of the Hippo pathway. The core of the Hippo pathway consists of a kinase cascade, including MST1/2, MAP4K1/2/3/4/5/6/7, and LATS1/2, along with their binding partners SAV1, RAP2A/B/C, and MOB1A/B. When the Hippo pathway is activated, the upstream kinases MST1/2 and MAP4K1/2/3/4/5/6/7 induce the phosphorylation and activation of LATS1/2 kinases. LATS1/2 then phosphorylates the downstream transcriptional co-activators YAP/TAZ, inhibiting their functions by promoting their cytoplasmic retention and subsequent degradation. When the Hippo pathway is deactivated, unphosphorylated YAP/TAZ translocate to the nucleus, whereby they promote the transcriptional activity of the transcription factors TEAD1/2/3/4 to regulate the transcription of genes associated with cell-fate decision, such as cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation