Unknown kinase on Hippo-YAP pathway

The term "Unknown kinase on Hippo-YAP pathway" refers to hypothesized signaling components within the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway that have not been definitively assigned to a specific protein in certain experimental contexts [2, 4]. Historically, this designation has been used to describe kinases that activate the Large Tumor Suppressor (LATS1/2) kinases or the Yes-associated protein (YAP) effector independently of the core Mammalian Ste20-like kinases (MST1/2) [3, 6]. For instance, studies on G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and the mevalonate pathway have frequently invoked an "unknown kinase" acting downstream of Rho GTPases to explain YAP regulation [2, 9]. Recent research has identified several candidates for these roles, including members of the MAP4K family (MAP4K1-7), Salt-inducible kinases (SIK1-3), and TAO kinases (TAOK1-3) [5, 7]. Because the term does not refer to a single, specific molecular entity, it is not considered a valid therapeutic target in its own right; rather, drug discovery efforts focus on the specific, identified kinases that constitute these non-canonical signaling branches [1, 10].

Other names

Unidentified Hippo pathway kinaseNon-canonical Hippo kinaseMST-independent LATS activator

Not applicable for an unspecified target.