The Hippo Pathway

The Hippo pathway is a highly conserved kinase pathway that controls a wide range of developmental and physiological processes. Misregulation of the Hippo pathway can lead to cancer, developmental defects and metabolic unbalance. Hippo pathway activity is needed for morphogenesis, wound healing, cell competition and regeneration. A remarkable aspect of the Hippo pathway is that it is regulated by diverse inputs including mechanical forces, cell adhesion, cell polarity, morphogens hormonal state and energy status, which all can regulate the activity of Yorkie/YAP, the transcriptional activator that lies at the base of the Hippo kinase cascade, promoting proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis.