Negative regulator of YAP1 in the Hippo signaling pathway that plays a pivotal role in organ size control and tumor suppression by restricting proliferation and promoting apoptosis. The core of this pathway is composed of a kinase cascade wherein STK3/MST2 and STK4/MST1, in complex with its regulatory protein SAV1, phosphorylates and activates LATS1/2 in complex with its regulatory protein MOB1, which in turn phosphorylates and inactivates YAP1 oncoprotein and WWTR1/TAZ. Phosphorylation of YAP1 by LATS2 inhibits its translocation into the nucleus to regulate cellular genes important for cell proliferation, cell death, and cell migration. Acts as a tumor suppressor which plays a critical role in centrosome duplication, maintenance of mitotic fidelity and genomic stability. Negatively regulates G1/S transition by down-regulating cyclin E/CDK2 kinase activity. Negative regulator of the androgen receptor. Phosphorylates SNAI1 in the nucleus leading to its nuclear retention and stabilization, which enhances its epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor cell invasion/migration activities. This tumor-promoting activity is independent of its effects upon YAP1 or WWTR1/TAZ.
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Microtubule organizing center, Centrosome, Cytoplasm, Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Spindle pole, Nucleus
Colocalizes with AURKA at the centrosomes during interphase, early prophase and cytokinesis. Migrates to the spindle poles during mitosis, and to the midbody during cytokinesis. Translocates to the nucleus upon mitotic stress by nocodazole treatment.
Expressed at high levels in heart and skeletal muscle and at lower levels in all other tissues examined.