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Kagiwada S, Aramaki S, Wu G, Shin B, Kutejova E, Obridge D, Adachi K, Wrana JL, Hübner K, Schöler HR. YAP establishes epiblast responsiveness to inductive signals for germ cell fate. Development 2021; 148:272520. [PMID: 34528691 PMCID: PMC8571999 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The germ cell lineage in mammals is induced by the stimulation of pluripotent epiblast cells by signaling molecules. Previous studies have suggested that the germ cell differentiation competence or responsiveness of epiblast cells to signaling molecules is established and maintained in epiblast cells of a specific differentiation state. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this process has not been well defined. Here, using the differentiation model of mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs), we have shown that two defined EpiSC lines have robust germ cell differentiation competence. However, another defined EpiSC line has no competence. By evaluating the molecular basis of EpiSCs with distinct germ cell differentiation competence, we identified YAP, an intracellular mediator of the Hippo signaling pathway, as crucial for the establishment of germ cell induction. Strikingly, deletion of YAP severely affected responsiveness to inductive stimuli, leading to a defect in WNT target activation and germ cell differentiation. In conclusion, we propose that the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway creates a potential for germ cell fate induction via mesodermal WNT signaling in pluripotent epiblast cells. Summary: YAP, an intracellular mediator of the Hippo signaling pathway, establishes epiblast competency for germ cell differentiation through activation of the WNT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saya Kagiwada
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Shinya Aramaki
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Guangming Wu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany.,Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Luoxuan Avenue, Haizhu District, 510320 Guangzhou, PRC
| | - Borami Shin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Eva Kutejova
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - David Obridge
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Kenjiro Adachi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Jeffrey L Wrana
- Department of Cancer Biology, Centre for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Karin Hübner
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Hans R Schöler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany.,Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
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