Hippo信号通路的发现是利用果蝇遗传学研究重大生物学问题的又一里程碑式的贡献。大量研究表明,Hippo信号通路像早期发现的其他信号通路一样,也在众多的生理与病理过程中扮演着关键角色,如控制器官尺寸和癌症发生。迄今为止,Hippo信号通路的研究过程主要经历了3个阶段：第一,Hippo信号通路的遗传学发现及其核心因子的筛选与鉴定;第二,Hippo信号通路的调控机制研究;第三,Hippo信号通路的多样性生理学功能。现阶段正是研究Hippo信号通路的上游调控和各种功能的阶段,如细胞骨架、机械张力、营养的调控,功能涉及细胞增殖调控、干细胞生物学和免疫等方面。本文按时间顺序综述了在果蝇遗传学研究中Hippo信号通路的发现与扩展过程,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。

The discovery of Hippo signaling pathway is another breakthrough of fly genetics. Similar to the other signaling pathways, Hippo pathway also functions crucially in tremendous physiological and pathological conditions, like organ size control and cancer. There are three main stages of Hippo pathway study: Firstly, identifications of core components by fly genetic screens; secondly, regulations by versatile upstream cues, like cytoskeleton, mechanical tension, and nutrition; thirdly, functions in different biological processes, like cell proliferation regulation, stem cell biology, and immunology. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of Hippo pathway and highlight its regulations and transcriptional complex assembly. We also discuss the potential future directions in Drosophila model system.