Measuring the Kinase Activities of the LATS/NDR Protein Kinases

Abstract

The Hippo tissue growth control and regeneration pathway is a main regulator of the YAP/TAZ effectors. In this regard, the LATS/NDR serine/threonine protein kinases can function as central components of the Hippo core module. More specifically, LATS/NDR-mediated phosphorylation of YAP/TAZ on different residues can regulate the subcellular localization and/or stability of YAP/TAZ. Therefore, the assessment of LATS/NDR activities can serve as readout for the activity status of the Hippo pathway. Here, we describe our preferred methodology regarding the measurement of the activities of LATS/NDR kinases.

Keywords: Hippo pathway; Kinase assays; Kinase substrates; LATS1; LATS2; NDR1; NDR2; Protein kinases; STK38; STK38L.