Hippo - hungry, hungry for melanoma invasion

The acquisition of invasive properties in melanoma is associated with a high proclivity for metastasis, but the underlying pathways are poorly characterized. The Hippo pathway plays an important role in organ size control and is dysregulated in some types of tumors. The present study, “Pro-invasive activity of the Hippo pathway effectors YAP and TAZ in cutaneous melanoma” by Nallet-Staub et al., provides the first in-depth analysis of expression of the Hippo pathway effectors YAP (yes-associated protein) and TAZ (Tafazzin) in human melanocytic lesions. Importantly, results from this study demonstrate a causal relationship between YAP/TAZ levels and melanoma cell tumorigenicity and invasiveness.