# Mechanistic studies of core Hippo pathway kinases

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $343,875

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY 
 
The long-­term goal of our research is to understand the molecular mechanisms that control eukaryotic signaling 
pathways.  The  objective  of  this  application  is  to  elucidate  the  principles  that  regulate  the  core  kinases  in  the 
Hippo pathway. The Hippo pathway controls organ size during development, tumorigenesis, and maintains the 
stem-­cell  niche  through  the  coordinated  activity  of  a  kinase  cassette  that  includes  two  kinases,  Mst1/2  and 
Lats1/2,  and  two  accessory  proteins,  Mob1  and  hSalvador.  In  Aim  1,  we  will  establish  a  molecular  basis  for 
understanding complex formation between SARAH domain proteins (hSalvador, Mst1/2, and RassF5) to inform 
on how these proteins regulate pathway activity. In Aim 2, our investigations will further understanding of Mst1/2 
activation and provide a mechanistic link between upstream pathway components and kinase activation. In Aim 
3 we will elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing the activity of Lats1 and Mst2 activity. Outcomes from 
the  proposed  work  will  fundamentally  alter  our  picture  of  Hippo  signaling  in  normal  and  disease  states  and 
stimulate new directions of cellular and therapeutic investigation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9974545
- **Project number:** 5R01GM134000-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer Marie Kavran
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $343,875
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-08 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9974545

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9974545, Mechanistic studies of core Hippo pathway kinases (5R01GM134000-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9974545. Licensed CC0.

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