Background information
Negative regulator of YAP1 in the Hippo signaling pathway that plays a pivotal role in organ size control and tumor suppression by restricting proliferation and promoting apoptosis. The core of this pathway is composed of a kinase cascade wherein STK3/MST2 and STK4/MST1, in complex with its regulatory protein SAV1, phosphorylates and activates LATS1/2 in complex with its regulatory protein MOB1, which in turn phosphorylates and inactivates YAP1 oncoprotein and WWTR1/TAZ. Phosphorylation of YAP1 by LATS1 inhibits its translocation into the nucleus to regulate cellular genes important for cell proliferation, cell death, and cell migration. Acts as a tumor suppressor which plays a critical role in maintenance of ploidy through its actions in both mitotic progression and the G1 tetraploidy checkpoint. Negatively regulates G2/M transition by down-regulating CDK1 kinase activity. Involved in the control of p53 expression. Affects cytokinesis by regulating actin polymerization through negative modulation of LIMK1. May also play a role in endocrine function.
