The Regulation of the Hippo Signalling Pathway Effector YAP Through a Novel Lipid-Dependent Extracellular Matrix Complex

Lipid metabolism plays a significant role in the regulation of various critical pathways within cells, where enhanced lipid metabolism is a hallmark of cancer cell metabolism. The Hippo signalling pathway poses as an important signalling pathway that governs tissue growth control and tumorigenesis. The effector of the Hippo signalling pathway, Yes-associated protein (YAP), serves as a central regulator for this growth control. Once a tissue develops to its correct size, YAP is phosphorylated and inactivated within the cytoplasm by the activation of the Hippo pathway, where its inactivation results in YAP nucleus translocation. This allows its dephosphorylation, modulating various cellular behaviours such as cellular proliferation and the inhibition of apoptosis. Moreover, it has been established that YAP is positively regulated by the extracellular matrix (ECM). The interplay between the Hippo signalling pathway, the ECM, and lipid metabolism, however, is not entirely clear. Thus, this study illustrates a novel link between the Hippo signalling pathway, the ECM, and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the project identifies a novel ECM complex which is dependent upon lipids and regulates YAP in a positive manner.