LATS2

Serine/threonine-protein kinase LATS2 is a protein in humans that is encoded by LATS2 gene. 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 LATS2 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 centrosome duplication, maintenance of mitotic fidelity and genomic stability. Negatively regulates G1/S transition by down-regulating cyclin E/CDK2 kinase activity. Negative regulator of the androgen receptor. Phosphorylates SNAI1 in the nucleus leading to its nuclear retention and stabilization, which enhances its epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor cell invasion/migration activities. This tumor-promoting activity is independent of its effects upon YAP1 or WWTR1/TAZ.