Involvement of the Hippo Pathway in the Development of Diabetes

The Hippo pathway is a complex signaling network that plays an important role in regulating cellular and metabolic tissue processes, as well as in controlling organ size. However, various disorders and dysfunctions caused by disruptions in Hippo signaling harm parental pancreatic islet cells, promote apoptosis of parental cells, and impair insulin secretion - leading to the occurrence of diabetes. Herein, we review the role of the Hippo pathway in islet offspring cells, as well as in the involvement of mammalian sterile 20 kinase-1 (MST1), large tumor suppressor-1/2 (LATS1/2), merlin, and yes-associated protein (YAP) in disruptions of Hippo signaling that lead to various disorders and the development of diabetes. Finally, we discuss several remaining issues in translating these promising discoveries into unique treatments in the future.