fig1

Figure 1. CCM3 is a novel regulator of a conserved Hippo-like signaling pathway. The fission yeast Morphogenesis (Mor) pathway is defined by a short kinase cascade consisting of a Sterile20-like kinase (Nak1p) that phosphorylates and activates an NDR kinase (Orb6p) which in turn phosphorylates effectors required for cell polarity and separation[48]. Many of the proteins in this pathway are conserved among eukaryotes, with CCM3 representing a novel scaffolding protein, not present in yeast, for the upstream kinase complex. CCM3 binds directly to GCKIII in human, zebrafish and flies[12,49,50]. Likewise, Mo25 can bind directly with Sterile20-like kinases including GCKIII family members[51]. Direct interactions between CCM3 and Mo25 have yet to be reported.