Accumulating evidence points to the
LATS (Large
Tumor Suppressor) family of human
tumor suppressors (LATS1 and LATS2) as new resident governors of cellular homeostasis. Loss of function of either LATS1 or LATS2 leads to a variety of
tumor types including
soft tissue sarcomas,
leukemia, as well as breast, prostate, lung and
esophageal cancers. Due to their high degree of homology and functional overlap, LATS1 and LATS2 comprise a new
tumor suppressor family. Classically identified within the Hippo-
LATS signaling pathway,
LATS also acts independently of this pathway, possessing multiple functions including regulation of cell proliferation, cell death and cell migration, as well as broad governing roles such as transcriptional regulation and maintenance of genetic stability. Activity of
LATS is tightly controlled through various mechanisms including post-translational modifications, differential localization and expression. Although little is known about the specific underlying mechanisms of these activities, current data suggest that
LATS signaling intersects with well-established
tumor suppressive or oncogenic pathways including the p53, Ras or Akt networks. This review aims to identify what we know about the
LATS tumor suppressor family, highlighting LATS1 and LATS2 redundancies and differences in terms of their structure, expression, regulation and functions, thereby establishing a novel
tumor suppressor network.