Figure 5.

Molecular roles of circRNAs in the Hippo signaling pathway. The Hippo pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway with key roles in various diseases, most notably cancer. The Hippo kinase cascade converges on its nuclear effector YAP/TAZ and regulates gene expression programs. YAP/TAZ phosphorylation by Hippo signaling inactivates YAP/TAZ transcriptional coactivators by excluding them from the nucleus and promotes YAP/TAZ degradation. When Hippo signaling is low, YAP/TAZ enters the nucleus, where it drives gene expression. Five upregulated and 3 downregulated circRNAs are indicated; 4 circRNAs regulate the Hippo pathway through ceRNA effects. Red: upregulated circRNAs; blue: downregulated circRNAs.