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Zhang Y, Ren Y, Li X, Li M, Fu M, Zhou W, Yu Y, Xiong Y. A review on decoding the roles of YAP/TAZ signaling pathway in cardiovascular diseases: Bridging molecular mechanisms to therapeutic insights. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 271:132473. [PMID: 38795886 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) serve as transcriptional co-activators that dynamically shuttle between the cytoplasm and nucleus, resulting in either the suppression or enhancement of their downstream gene expression. Recent emerging evidence demonstrates that YAP/TAZ is strongly implicated in the pathophysiological processes that contribute to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In the cardiovascular system, YAP/TAZ is involved in the orchestration of a range of biological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammation, proliferation, and autophagy. Furthermore, YAP/TAZ has been revealed to be closely associated with the initiation and development of various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, myocardial fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and cardiomyopathy. In this review, we delve into recent studies surrounding YAP and TAZ, along with delineating their roles in contributing to the pathogenesis of CVDs with a link to various physiological processes in the cardiovascular system. Additionally, we highlight the current potential drugs targeting YAP/TAZ for CVDs therapy and discuss their challenges for translational application. Overall, this review may offer novel insights for understanding and treating cardiovascular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Ren
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710018, PR China
| | - Man Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710018, PR China
| | - Mingdi Fu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Wenjing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China.
| | - Yuyan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, 710018 Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China.
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2
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Jung O, Baek MJ, Wooldrik C, Johnson KR, Fisher KW, Lou J, Ricks TJ, Wen T, Best MD, Cryns VL, Anderson RA, Choi S. Nuclear phosphoinositide signaling promotes YAP/TAZ-TEAD transcriptional activity in breast cancer. EMBO J 2024; 43:1740-1769. [PMID: 38565949 PMCID: PMC11066040 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00085-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway effectors Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and its homolog TAZ are transcriptional coactivators that control gene expression by binding to TEA domain (TEAD) family transcription factors. The YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex is a key regulator of cancer-specific transcriptional programs, which promote tumor progression in diverse types of cancer, including breast cancer. Despite intensive efforts, the YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex in cancer has remained largely undruggable due to an incomplete mechanistic understanding. Here, we report that nuclear phosphoinositides function as cofactors that mediate the binding of YAP/TAZ to TEADs. The enzymatic products of phosphoinositide kinases PIPKIα and IPMK, including phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (P(I3,4,5)P3), bridge the binding of YAP/TAZ to TEAD. Inhibiting these kinases or the association of YAP/TAZ with PI(4,5)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 attenuates YAP/TAZ interaction with the TEADs, the expression of YAP/TAZ target genes, and breast cancer cell motility. Although we could not conclusively exclude the possibility that other enzymatic products of IPMK such as inositol phosphates play a role in the mechanism, our results point to a previously unrecognized role of nuclear phosphoinositide signaling in control of YAP/TAZ activity and implicate this pathway as a potential therapeutic target in YAP/TAZ-driven breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oisun Jung
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Min-Jeong Baek
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Colin Wooldrik
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Keith R Johnson
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kurt W Fisher
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jinchao Lou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, 1420 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Tanei J Ricks
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, 3744 Walker Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA
| | - Tianmu Wen
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael D Best
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, 1420 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Vincent L Cryns
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Richard A Anderson
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Suyong Choi
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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3
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Thrash HL, Pendergast AM. Multi-Functional Regulation by YAP/TAZ Signaling Networks in Tumor Progression and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4701. [PMID: 37835395 PMCID: PMC10572014 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway transcriptional co-activators, YES-associated protein (YAP) and Transcriptional Co-Activator with PDZ Binding Motif (TAZ), have both been linked to tumor progression and metastasis. These two proteins possess overlapping and distinct functions, and their activities lead to the expression of genes involved in multiple cellular processes, including cell proliferation, survival, and migration. The dysregulation of YAP/TAZ-dependent cellular processes can result in altered tumor growth and metastasis. In addition to their well-documented roles in the regulation of cancer cell growth, survival, migration, and invasion, the YAP/TAZ-dependent signaling pathways have been more recently implicated in cellular processes that promote metastasis and therapy resistance in several solid tumor types. This review highlights the role of YAP/TAZ signaling networks in the regulation of tumor cell plasticity mediated by hybrid and reversible epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) states, and the promotion of cancer stem cell/progenitor phenotypes. Mechanistically, YAP and TAZ regulate these cellular processes by targeting transcriptional networks. In this review, we detail recently uncovered mechanisms whereby YAP and TAZ mediate tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance, and discuss new therapeutic strategies to target YAP/TAZ function in various solid tumor types. Understanding the distinct and overlapping roles of YAP and TAZ in multiple cellular processes that promote tumor progression to metastasis is expected to enable the identification of effective therapies to treat solid tumors through the hyper-activation of YAP and TAZ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann Marie Pendergast
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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4
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Zhao B, Pobbati AV, Rubin BP, Stauffer S. Leveraging Hot Spots of TEAD-Coregulator Interactions in the Design of Direct Small Molecule Protein-Protein Interaction Disruptors Targeting Hippo Pathway Signaling. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040583. [PMID: 37111340 PMCID: PMC10146773 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway is a highly conserved pathway that plays important roles in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Transcription factors TEAD1-4 and transcriptional coregulators YAP/TAZ are the downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway and can modulate Hippo biology. Dysregulation of this pathway is implicated in tumorigenesis and acquired resistance to therapies. The emerging importance of YAP/TAZ-TEAD interaction in cancer development makes it a potential therapeutic target. In the past decade, disrupting YAP/TAZ-TEAD interaction as an effective approach for cancer treatment has achieved great progress. This approach followed a trajectory wherein peptidomimetic YAP-TEAD protein-protein interaction disruptors (PPIDs) were first designed, followed by the discovery of allosteric small molecule PPIDs, and currently, the development of direct small molecule PPIDs. YAP and TEAD form three interaction interfaces. Interfaces 2 and 3 are amenable for direct PPID design. One direct YAP-TEAD PPID (IAG933) that targets interface 3 has entered a clinical trial in 2021. However, in general, strategically designing effective small molecules PPIDs targeting TEAD interfaces 2 and 3 has been challenging compared with allosteric inhibitor development. This review focuses on the development of direct surface disruptors and discusses the challenges and opportunities for developing potent YAP/TAZ-TEAD inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhao
- Cleveland Clinic Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ajaybabu V Pobbati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Brian P Rubin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Shaun Stauffer
- Cleveland Clinic Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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5
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Kamran DES, Hussain M, Mirza T. Investigating In Situ Expression of c-MYC and Candidate Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases in DLBCL and Assessment for Peptidyl Disruptor Molecule against c-MYC-USP37 Complex. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062441. [PMID: 36985413 PMCID: PMC10058055 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Elevated expression of c-MYC in DLBCL is associated with poor prognosis of the disease. In different cancers, c-MYC has been found regulated by different ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), but to date, the role of USPs in c-MYC regulation has not been investigated in DLBCL. In this study, in situ co expression of c-MYC and three candidates USPs, USP28, USP36 and USP37, have been investigated in both the ABC and GCB subtypes of DLBCL. This shows that USP37 expression is positively correlated with the c-MYC expression in the ABC subtype of DLBCL. Structurally, both c-MYC and USP37 has shown large proportion of intrinsically disordered regions, minimizing their chances for full structure crystallization. Peptide array and docking simulations has shown that N-terminal region of c-MYC interacts directly with residues within and in proximity of catalytically active C19 domain of the USP37. Given the structural properties of the interaction sites in the c-MYC-USP37 complex, a peptidyl inhibitor has been designed. Molecular docking has shown that the peptide fits well in the targeted site of c-MYC, masking most of its residues involved in the binding with USP37. The findings could further be exploited to develop therapeutic interventions against the ABC subtype of DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durr E Sameen Kamran
- Department of Pathology, Dow Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine Research Group, Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
| | - Mushtaq Hussain
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine Research Group, Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
| | - Talat Mirza
- Department of Research, Ziauddin University, Karachi 75000, Pakistan
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Sonnemann HM, Pazdrak B, Antunes DA, Roszik J, Lizée G. Vestigial-like 1 (VGLL1): An ancient co-transcriptional activator linking wing, placenta, and tumor development. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188892. [PMID: 37004960 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Vestigial-like 1 (VGLL1) is a recently discovered driver of proliferation and invasion that is expressed in many aggressive human malignancies and is strongly associated with poor prognosis. The VGLL1 gene encodes for a co-transcriptional activator that shows intriguing structural similarity to key activators in the hippo pathway, providing important clues to its functional role. VGLL1 binds to TEADs in an analogous fashion to YAP1 but appears to activate a distinct set of downstream gene targets. In mammals, VGLL1 expression is found almost exclusively in placental trophoblasts, cells that share many hallmarks of cancer. Due to its role as a driver of tumor progression, VGLL1 has become a target of interest for potential anticancer therapies. In this review, we discuss VGLL1 from an evolutionary perspective, contrast its role in placental and tumor development, summarize the current knowledge of how signaling pathways can modulate VGLL1 function, and discuss potential approaches for targeting VGLL1 therapeutically.
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7
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Son Y, Kim J, Kim Y, Chi SG, Kim T, Yu J. Discovery of dioxo-benzo[b]thiophene derivatives as potent YAP-TEAD interaction inhibitors for treating breast cancer. Bioorg Chem 2023; 131:106274. [PMID: 36434952 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Disruption of protein-protein interaction between transcriptional enhancer factor (TEA)-domain (TEAD; a transcription factor) and its co-activator Yes-associated protein (YAP)/ transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is a potential therapeutic strategy against various types of solid tumors. Based on hit compound 8 and 9a, hydrazone derivatives with dioxo-benzo[d]isothiazole (9b-n) and oxime ester (10a-s) or amide derivatives (11a-r) with dioxo-benzo[b]thiophene were designed and synthesized as novel TEAD-YAP interaction inhibitors. Amide derivative 11q exhibited a higher potency in inhibiting TEAD-YAP reporter expression activity (IC50 = 12.7 μM), endogenous target gene (e.g., CTGF and CYR61) expression, breast cancer cell growth (GI50 = 3.2 μM), and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. Molecular docking analysis suggested that the newly synthesized compounds bound to interface 2 of TEAD had lower docking scores compared to the compounds that bind to interface 3; moreover, they were predicted to overlap with YAP. Therefore, we identified 11q as an attractive therapeutic agent for treating solid tumors overexpressing YAP/TAZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngchai Son
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Jaeyeal Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea; Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Yongchan Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Sung-Gil Chi
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Tackhoon Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea; Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Division of Bio-medical science and technology, KIST school, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, South Korea.
| | - Jinha Yu
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea.
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Pobbati AV, Kumar R, Rubin BP, Hong W. Therapeutic targeting of TEAD transcription factors in cancer. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:450-462. [PMID: 36709077 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway inhibits the activity of the oncogenic YAP (Yes-associated protein)/TAZ (transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif)-TEAD (TEA/ATTS domain) transcriptional complex. In cancers, inactivating mutations in upstream Hippo components and/or enhanced activity of YAP/TAZ and TEAD have been observed. The activity of this transcriptional complex can be effectively inhibited by targeting the TEAD family of transcription factors. The development of TEAD inhibitors has been driven by the discovery that TEAD has druggable hydrophobic pockets, and is currently at the clinical development stage. Three small molecule TEAD inhibitors are currently being tested in Phase I clinical trials. In this review, we highlight the role of TEADs in cancer, discuss various avenues through which TEAD activity can be inhibited, and outline the opportunities for the administration of TEAD inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajaybabu V Pobbati
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology, and Research), Singapore 138673
| | - Brian P Rubin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology, and Research), Singapore 138673.
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9
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Garcia K, Gingras AC, Harvey KF, Tanas MR. TAZ/YAP fusion proteins: mechanistic insights and therapeutic opportunities. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:1033-1045. [PMID: 36096997 PMCID: PMC9671862 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is dysregulated in many different cancers, but point mutations in the pathway are rare. Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) fusion proteins have emerged in almost all major cancer types and represent the most common genetic mechanism by which the two transcriptional co-activators are activated. Given that the N termini of TAZ or YAP are fused to the C terminus of another transcriptional regulator, the resultant fusion proteins hyperactivate a TEAD transcription factor-based transcriptome. Recent advances show that the C-terminal fusion partners confer oncogenic properties to TAZ/YAP fusion proteins by recruiting epigenetic modifiers that promote a hybrid TEAD-based transcriptome. Elucidating these cooperating epigenetic complexes represents a strategy to identify new therapeutic approaches for a pathway that has been recalcitrant to medical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Garcia
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kieran F Harvey
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Munir R Tanas
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA; Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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10
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Luo M, Xu Y, Chen H, Wu Y, Pang A, Hu J, Dong X, Che J, Yang H. Advances of targeting the YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex in the hippo pathway for the treatment of cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114847. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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11
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Gridnev A, Maity S, Misra JR. Structure-based discovery of a novel small-molecule inhibitor of TEAD palmitoylation with anticancer activity. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1021823. [PMID: 36523977 PMCID: PMC9745137 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1021823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The paralogous oncogenic transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ are the distal effectors of the Hippo signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in cell proliferation, survival and cell fate specification. They are frequently deregulated in most human cancers, where they contribute to multiple aspects of tumorigenesis including growth, metabolism, metastasis and chemo/immunotherapy resistance. Thus, they provide a critical point for therapeutic intervention. However, due to their intrinsically disordered structure, they are challenging to target directly. Since YAP/TAZ exerts oncogenic activity by associating with the TEAD1-4 transcription factors, to regulate target gene expression, YAP activity can be controlled indirectly by regulating TEAD1-4. Interestingly, TEADs undergo autopalmitoylation, which is essential for their stability and function, and small-molecule inhibitors that prevent this posttranslational modification can render them unstable. In this article we report discovery of a novel small molecule inhibitor of YAP activity. We combined structure-based virtual ligand screening with biochemical and cell biological studies and identified JM7, which inhibits YAP transcriptional reporter activity with an IC50 of 972 nMoles/Ltr. Further, it inhibits YAP target gene expression, without affecting YAP/TEAD localization. Mechanistically, JM7 inhibits TEAD palmitoylation and renders them unstable. Cellular thermal shift assay revealed that JM7 directly binds to TEAD1-4 in cells. Consistent with the inhibitory effect of JM7 on YAP activity, it significantly impairs proliferation, colony-formation and migration of mesothelioma (NCI-H226), breast (MDA-MB-231) and ovarian (OVCAR-8) cancer cells that exhibit increased YAP activity. Collectively, these results establish JM7 as a novel lead compound for development of more potent inhibitors of TEAD palmitoylation for treating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jyoti R. Misra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
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12
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Howard A, Bojko J, Flynn B, Bowen S, Jungwirth U, Walko G. Targeting the Hippo/YAP/TAZ signalling pathway: Novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions into skin cancers. Exp Dermatol 2022; 31:1477-1499. [PMID: 35913427 PMCID: PMC9804452 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Skin cancers are by far the most frequently diagnosed human cancers. The closely related transcriptional co-regulator proteins YAP and TAZ (WWTR1) have emerged as important drivers of tumour initiation, progression and metastasis in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. YAP/TAZ serve as an essential signalling hub by integrating signals from multiple upstream pathways. In this review, we summarize the roles of YAP/TAZ in skin physiology and tumorigenesis and discuss recent efforts of therapeutic interventions that target YAP/TAZ in in both preclinical and clinical settings, as well as their prospects for use as skin cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jodie Bojko
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of BathBathUK
| | | | - Sophie Bowen
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of BathBathUK
| | - Ute Jungwirth
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of BathBathUK,Centre for Therapeutic InnovationUniversity of BathBathUK
| | - Gernot Walko
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of BathBathUK,Centre for Therapeutic InnovationUniversity of BathBathUK
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13
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Furet P, Bordas V, Le Douget M, Salem B, Mesrouze Y, Imbach-Weese P, Sellner H, Voegtle M, Soldermann N, Chapeau E, Wartmann M, Scheufler C, Fernandez C, Kallen J, Guagnano V, Chène P, Schmelzle T. The First Class of Small Molecules Potently Disrupting the YAP-TEAD Interaction by Direct Competition. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200303. [PMID: 35950546 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of the YAP-TEAD protein protein interaction is an attractive therapeutic concept under intense investigation with the objective to treat cancers associated with a dysregulation of the Hippo pathway. However, owing to the very extended surface of interaction of the two proteins, the identification of small drug-like molecules able to efficiently prevent YAP from binding to TEAD by direct competition has been elusive so far. We disclose here the discovery of the first class of small molecules potently inhibiting the YAP-TEAD interaction by binding at one of the main interaction sites of YAP at the surface of TEAD. These inhibitors, providing a path forward to pharmacological intervention in the Hippo pathway, evolved from a weakly active virtual screening hit advanced to high potency by structure-based design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Furet
- Novartis Pharma AG, Biomedical Research, 4002, Basel, SWITZERLAND
| | - Vincent Bordas
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, GDC, SWITZERLAND
| | | | - Bahaa Salem
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, GDC, SWITZERLAND
| | - Yannick Mesrouze
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, ODD, SWITZERLAND
| | | | - Holger Sellner
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, GDC, SWITZERLAND
| | - Markus Voegtle
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, GDC, SWITZERLAND
| | | | - Emilie Chapeau
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, ODD, SWITZERLAND
| | - Markus Wartmann
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, ODD, SWITZERLAND
| | | | - Cesar Fernandez
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, CBT, SWITZERLAND
| | - Joerg Kallen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, CBT, SWITZERLAND
| | - Vito Guagnano
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, GDC, SWITZERLAND
| | - Patrick Chène
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, ODD, SWITZERLAND
| | - Tobias Schmelzle
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, ODD, SWITZERLAND
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14
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Che K, Pobbati AV, Seavey CN, Fedorov Y, Komar AA, Burtscher A, Ma S, Rubin BP. Aurintricarboxylic acid is a canonical disruptor of the TAZ-TEAD transcriptional complex. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266143. [PMID: 35417479 PMCID: PMC9007350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupting the formation of the oncogenic YAP/TAZ-TEAD transcriptional complex holds substantial therapeutic potential. However, the three protein interaction interfaces of this complex cannot be easily disrupted using small molecules. Here, we report that the pharmacologically active small molecule aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) acts as a disruptor of the TAZ-TEAD complex. ATA was identified in a high-throughput screen using a TAZ-TEAD AlphaLISA assay that was tailored to identify disruptors of this transcriptional complex. We further used fluorescence polarization assays both to confirm disruption of the TAZ-TEAD complex and to demonstrate that ATA binds to interface 3. We have previously shown that cell-based models that express the oncogenic TAZ-CAMTA1 (TC) fusion protein display enhanced TEAD transcriptional activity because TC functions as an activated form of TAZ. Utilizing cell-based studies and our TC model system, we performed TC/TEAD reporter, RNA-Seq, and qPCR assays and found that ATA inhibits TC/TEAD transcriptional activity. Further, disruption of TC/TEAD and TAZ/TEAD interaction by ATA abrogated anchorage-independent growth, the phenotype most closely linked to dysregulated TAZ/TEAD activity. Therefore, this study demonstrates that ATA is a novel small molecule that has the ability to disrupt the undruggable TAZ-TEAD interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kepeng Che
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ajaybabu V. Pobbati
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Caleb N. Seavey
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Yuriy Fedorov
- Small Molecule Drug Development Core, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Anton A. Komar
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ashley Burtscher
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Shuang Ma
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Brian P. Rubin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
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15
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Liberelle M, Toulotte F, Renault N, Gelin M, Allemand F, Melnyk P, Guichou JF, Cotelle P. Toward the Design of Ligands Selective for the C-Terminal Domain of TEADs. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5926-5940. [PMID: 35389210 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway plays a fundamental role in the control of organ growth, cell proliferation, and stem cell characters. TEADs are the main transcriptional output regulators of the Hippo signaling pathway and bind to YAP and TAZ co-activators. TEAD1-4 are expressed differently, depending on the tissue and developmental level, and can be overexpressed in certain pathologies. TEAD ligands mainly target the internal pocket of the C-terminal domain of TEAD, and the first ligands selective for TEAD1 and TEAD3 have been recently reported. In this paper, we focus on the topographic homology of the TEAD C-terminal domain both externally and in the internal pocket to highlight the possibility of rationally designing ligands selective for one of the TEAD family members. We identified a novel TEAD2-specific pocket and reported its first ligand. Finally, AlphaFold2 models of full-length TEADs suggest TEAD autoregulation and emphasize the importance of the interface 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Liberelle
- INSERM, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition Research Center, Université de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Florine Toulotte
- INSERM, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition Research Center, Université de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Renault
- INSERM, CHU Lille, U-1286 - INFINTE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Université de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Muriel Gelin
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, F-34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Allemand
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, F-34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Patricia Melnyk
- INSERM, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition Research Center, Université de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Jean-François Guichou
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, F-34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Cotelle
- INSERM, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition Research Center, Université de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.,CS 90108, ENSCL-Centrale Lille, F-59652 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
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16
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The role of lysine palmitoylation/myristoylation in the function of the TEAD transcription factors. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4984. [PMID: 35322151 PMCID: PMC8942982 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09127-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The TEAD transcription factors are the most downstream elements of the Hippo pathway. Their transcriptional activity is modulated by different regulator proteins and by the palmitoylation/myristoylation of a specific cysteine residue. In this report, we show that a conserved lysine present in these transcription factors can also be acylated, probably following the intramolecular transfer of the acyl moiety from the cysteine. Using Scalloped (Sd), the Drosophila homolog of human TEAD, as a model, we designed a mutant protein (Glu352GlnSd) that is predominantly acylated on the lysine (Lys350Sd). This protein binds in vitro to the three Sd regulators—Yki, Vg and Tgi—with a similar affinity as the wild type Sd, but it has a significantly higher thermal stability than Sd acylated on the cysteine. This mutant was also introduced in the endogenous locus of the sd gene in Drosophila using CRISPR/Cas9. Homozygous mutants reach adulthood, do not present obvious morphological defects and the mutant protein has both the same level of expression and localization as wild type Sd. This reveals that this mutant protein is both functional and able to control cell growth in a similar fashion as wild type Sd. Therefore, enhancing the lysine acylation of Sd has no detrimental effect on the Hippo pathway. However, we did observe a slight but significant increase of wing size in flies homozygous for the mutant protein suggesting that a higher acylation of the lysine affects the activity of the Hippo pathway. Altogether, our findings indicate that TEAD/Sd can be acylated either on a cysteine or on a lysine, and suggest that these two different forms may have similar properties in cells.
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17
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Nakano N, Fukuda K, Tashiro E, Ishikawa H, Nagano W, Kawamoto R, Mori A, Watanabe M, Yamazaki R, Nakane T, Naito M, Okamoto I, Itoh S. Hybrid molecule between platanic acid and LCL-161 as a yes-associated protein (YAP) degrader. J Biochem 2022; 171:631-640. [PMID: 35211741 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvac021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated Yes-associated protein (YAP) is involved in several malignant cancers. However, discovering a druggable YAP inhibitor(s) is difficult because YAP itself does not have any enzymatic activity. In such cases, targeted protein degradation strategies based on hybrid molecules that bind to the target protein and an E3 ubiquitin ligase are useful for suppressing proteins that exhibit aberrant activation and/or excessive expression. Upon screening YAP-interacting small compounds, we identified HK13, a platanic acid, as a novel compound that interacts with YAP. Next, we synthesized hybrid compounds of platanic acid and LCL-161, which reportedly shows a high affinity to for cIAP, one of E3 ubiquitin ligases. Among these compounds, HK24 possessed the ability to inhibit the growth of YAP overexpressing NCI-H290 cells. This inhibitory activity may be mediated by YAP degradation, although HK24 exhibited weak YAP degradation. Furthermore, we confirmed involvement of proteasome pathway in HK24-dependent YAP degradation by culturing NCI-H290 cells in the presence of a proteasome inhibitor. Therefore, it is possible that platanic acid is a potential candidate for molecular medicine targeting YAP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mikihiko Naito
- Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan; Social Cooperation Program of Targeted Protein Degradation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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18
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Recent Therapeutic Approaches to Modulate the Hippo Pathway in Oncology and Regenerative Medicine. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102715. [PMID: 34685695 PMCID: PMC8534579 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an evolutionary conserved signaling network that regulates essential processes such as organ size, cell proliferation, migration, stemness and apoptosis. Alterations in this pathway are commonly found in solid tumors and can lead to hyperproliferation, resistance to chemotherapy, compensation for mKRAS and tumor immune evasion. As the terminal effectors of the Hippo pathway, the transcriptional coactivators YAP1/TAZ and the transcription factors TEAD1–4 present exciting opportunities to pharmacologically modulate the Hippo biology in cancer settings, inflammation and regenerative medicine. This review will provide an overview of the progress and current strategies to directly and indirectly target the YAP1/TAZ protein–protein interaction (PPI) with TEAD1–4 across multiple modalities, with focus on recent small molecules able to selectively bind to TEAD, block its autopalmitoylation and inhibit YAP1/TAZ–TEAD-dependent transcription in cancer.
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19
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Shim J, Goldsmith KC. A New Player in Neuroblastoma: YAP and Its Role in the Neuroblastoma Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184650. [PMID: 34572875 PMCID: PMC8472533 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial pediatric solid tumor that accounts for more than 15% of childhood cancer-related deaths. High risk neuroblastomas that recur during or after intense multimodal therapy have a <5% chance at a second sustained remission or cure. The solid tumor microenvironment (TME) has been increasingly recognized to play a critical role in cancer progression and resistance to therapy, including in neuroblastoma. The Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in the Hippo pathway can regulate cancer proliferation, tumor initiation, and therapy response in many cancer types and as such, its role in the TME has gained interest. In this review, we focus on YAP and its role in neuroblastoma and further describe its demonstrated and potential effects on the neuroblastoma TME. We also discuss the therapeutic strategies for inhibiting YAP in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Shim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kelly C. Goldsmith
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-404-727-2655
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20
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Zhang D, Wu H, Zhao J. Computational design and experimental substantiation of conformationally constrained peptides from the complex interfaces of transcriptional enhanced associate domains with their cofactors in gastric cancer. Comput Biol Chem 2021; 94:107569. [PMID: 34500324 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2021.107569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional enhanced associate domains (Teads) are the downstream effectors of the hippo signaling pathway and have been recognized as attractive druggable targets of gastric cancer. The biological function of Teads is regulated by diverse cofactors. In this study, the intermolecular interactions of Teads with their cognate cofactors were systematically characterized at structural, thermodynamic and dynamic levels. The Teads possess a double-stranded helical hairpin that is surrounded by three independent structural elements β-sheet, α-helix and Ω-loop of cofactor proteins and plays a central role in recognition and association with cofactors. A number of functional peptides were split from the hairpin region at Tead-cofactor complex interfaces, which, however, cannot maintain in native conformation without the support of protein context and would therefore incur a considerable entropy penalty upon competitively rebinding to the interfaces. Here, we further used disulfide and hydrocarbon bridges to cyclize and staple the hairpin and helical peptides, respectively. The chemical modification strategies were demonstrated to effectively constrain peptide conformation into active state and to largely reduce peptide flexibility in free state, thus considerably improving their affinity. Since the cyclization and stapling only minimize the indirect entropy cost but do not influence the direct enthalpy effect upon peptide binding, the designed conformationally constrained peptides can retain in their native selectivity over different cofactors. This is particularly interesting because it means that the cyclized/stapled, affinity-improved peptides can specifically compete with their parent Teads for the cofactor arrays as they share consistent target specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou 061014, China
| | - Hongna Wu
- Cangzhou Institute for Food and Drug Control, Cangzhou 061003, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou 061014, China.
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21
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Kim J, Lim H, Moon S, Cho SY, Kim M, Park JH, Park HW, No KT. Hot Spot Analysis of YAP-TEAD Protein-Protein Interaction Using the Fragment Molecular Orbital Method and Its Application for Inhibitor Discovery. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4246. [PMID: 34439400 PMCID: PMC8391968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an important signaling pathway modulating growth control and cancer cell proliferation. Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway is a common feature of several types of cancer cells. The modulation of the interaction between yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional enhancer associated domain (TEAD) in the Hippo pathway is considered an attractive target for cancer therapeutic development, although the inhibition of PPI is a challenging task. In order to investigate the hot spots of the YAP and TEAD1 interacting complex, an ab initio Fragment Molecular Orbital (FMO) method was introduced. With the hot spots, pharmacophores for the inhibitor design were constructed, then virtual screening was performed to an in-house library. Next, we performed molecular docking simulations and FMO calculations for screening results to study the binding modes and affinities between PPI inhibitors and TEAD1. As a result of the virtual screening, three compounds were selected as virtual hit compounds. In order to confirm their biological activities, cellular (luciferase activity, proximity ligation assay and wound healing assay in A375 cells, qRT-PCR in HEK 293T cells) and biophysical assays (surface plasmon resonance assays) were performed. Based on the findings of the study, we propose a novel PPI inhibitor BY03 and demonstrate a profitable strategy to analyze YAP-TEAD PPI and discover novel PPI inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongwan Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea;
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Design Research Center (BMDRC), Incheon 21983, Korea
| | - Hocheol Lim
- The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Integrative Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea;
| | - Sungho Moon
- Baobab AiBIO Co., Ltd., Incheon 21983, Korea; (S.M.); (S.Y.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Seon Yeon Cho
- Baobab AiBIO Co., Ltd., Incheon 21983, Korea; (S.M.); (S.Y.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Minhye Kim
- Baobab AiBIO Co., Ltd., Incheon 21983, Korea; (S.M.); (S.Y.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Jae Hyung Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea; (J.H.P.); (H.W.P.)
| | - Hyun Woo Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea; (J.H.P.); (H.W.P.)
| | - Kyoung Tai No
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Design Research Center (BMDRC), Incheon 21983, Korea
- Baobab AiBIO Co., Ltd., Incheon 21983, Korea; (S.M.); (S.Y.C.); (M.K.)
- Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
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22
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Mélin L, Abdullayev S, Fnaiche A, Vu V, González Suárez N, Zeng H, Szewczyk MM, Li F, Senisterra G, Allali-Hassani A, Chau I, Dong A, Woo S, Annabi B, Halabelian L, LaPlante SR, Vedadi M, Barsyte-Lovejoy D, Santhakumar V, Gagnon A. Development of LM98, a Small-Molecule TEAD Inhibitor Derived from Flufenamic Acid. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2982-3002. [PMID: 34164919 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The YAP-TEAD transcriptional complex is responsible for the expression of genes that regulate cancer cell growth and proliferation. Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway due to overexpression of TEAD has been reported in a wide range of cancers. Inhibition of TEAD represses the expression of associated genes, demonstrating the value of this transcription factor for the development of novel anti-cancer therapies. We report herein the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of LM98, a flufenamic acid analogue. LM98 shows strong affinity to TEAD, inhibits its autopalmitoylation and reduces the YAP-TEAD transcriptional activity. Binding of LM98 to TEAD was supported by 19 F-NMR studies while co-crystallization experiments confirmed that LM98 is anchored within the palmitic acid pocket of TEAD. LM98 reduces the expression of CTGF and Cyr61, inhibits MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell migration and arrests cell cycling in the S phase during cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Mélin
- Département de chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Shuay Abdullayev
- Département de chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Ahmed Fnaiche
- Département de chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Victoria Vu
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Narjara González Suárez
- Département de chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Hong Zeng
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Magdalena M Szewczyk
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Guillermo Senisterra
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Abdellah Allali-Hassani
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Irene Chau
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Aiping Dong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Simon Woo
- INRS-Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Borhane Annabi
- Département de chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Levon Halabelian
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Steven R LaPlante
- INRS-Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1 A8, Canada
| | - Dalia Barsyte-Lovejoy
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1 A8, Canada
| | - Vijayaratnam Santhakumar
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College St. MaRS South Tower, Toronto, ON, M5G 1 L7, Canada
| | - Alexandre Gagnon
- Département de chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
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23
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Morciano G, Vezzani B, Missiroli S, Boncompagni C, Pinton P, Giorgi C. An Updated Understanding of the Role of YAP in Driving Oncogenic Responses. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123100. [PMID: 34205830 PMCID: PMC8234554 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In 2020, the global cancer database GLOBOCAN estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases worldwide. The discovery of targeted therapies may help prognosis and outcome of the patients affected, but the understanding of the plethora of highly interconnected pathways that modulate cell transformation, proliferation, invasion, migration and survival remains an ambitious goal. Here we propose an updated state of the art of YAP as the key protein driving oncogenic response via promoting all those steps at multiple levels. Of interest, the role of YAP in immunosuppression is a field of evolving research and growing interest and this summary about the current pharmacological therapies impacting YAP serves as starting point for future studies. Abstract Yes-associated protein (YAP) has emerged as a key component in cancer signaling and is considered a potent oncogene. As such, nuclear YAP participates in complex and only partially understood molecular cascades that are responsible for the oncogenic response by regulating multiple processes, including cell transformation, tumor growth, migration, and metastasis, and by acting as an important mediator of immune and cancer cell interactions. YAP is finely regulated at multiple levels, and its localization in cells in terms of cytoplasm–nucleus shuttling (and vice versa) sheds light on interesting novel anticancer treatment opportunities and putative unconventional functions of the protein when retained in the cytosol. This review aims to summarize and present the state of the art knowledge about the role of YAP in cancer signaling, first focusing on how YAP differs from WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (WWTR1, also named as TAZ) and which upstream factors regulate it; then, this review focuses on the role of YAP in different cancer stages and in the crosstalk between immune and cancer cells as well as growing translational strategies derived from its inhibitory and synergistic effects with existing chemo-, immuno- and radiotherapies.
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Gibault F, Sturbaut M, Coevoet M, Pugnière M, Burtscher A, Allemand F, Melnyk P, Hong W, Rubin BP, Pobbati AV, Guichou JF, Cotelle P, Bailly F. Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of a Series of 1,5-Diaryl-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbohydrazones as Inhibitors of the YAP-TAZ/TEAD Complex. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2823-2844. [PMID: 34032019 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Starting from our previously reported hit, a series of 1,5-diaryl-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbohydrazones were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex. Their binding to hTEAD2 was confirmed by nanodifferential scanning fluorimetry, and some of the compounds were also found to moderately disrupt the YAP-TEAD interaction, as assessed by a fluorescence polarization assay. A TEAD luciferase gene reporter assay performed in HEK293T cells and RTqPCR measurements in MDA-MB231 cells showed that these compounds inhibit YAP/TAZ-TEAD activity to cells in the micromolar range. In spite of the cytotoxic effects displayed by some of the compounds of this series, they are still good starting points and can be suitably modified into an effective and viable YAP-TEAD disruptor in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floriane Gibault
- INSERM, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Manon Sturbaut
- INSERM, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Mathilde Coevoet
- INSERM, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Martine Pugnière
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University of Montpellier, 208 rue des Apothicaires, 34298, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Ashley Burtscher
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute and Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Lerner Research Institute and Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Frédéric Allemand
- University of Montpellier CNRS UMR5048, INSERM U1054 Centre de Biologie Structurale, 29 rue de Navacelles, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Patricia Melnyk
- INSERM, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A(✶)STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Brian P Rubin
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute and Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Lerner Research Institute and Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ajaybabu V Pobbati
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute and Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Lerner Research Institute and Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Jean-François Guichou
- University of Montpellier CNRS UMR5048, INSERM U1054 Centre de Biologie Structurale, 29 rue de Navacelles, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Cotelle
- INSERM, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France.,Ecole Centrale Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Fabrice Bailly
- INSERM, UMR-S 1172, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
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New Insights into YES-Associated Protein Signaling Pathways in Hematological Malignancies: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081981. [PMID: 33924049 PMCID: PMC8073623 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary YES-associated protein (YAP) is a co-transcriptional activator that binds to transcriptional factors to increase the rate of transcription of a set of genes, and it can intervene in the onset and progression of different tumors. Most of the data in the literature refer to the effects of the YAP system in solid neoplasms. In this review, we analyze the possibility that YAP can also intervene in hematological neoplasms such as lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and acute and chronic leukemias, modifying the phenomena of cell proliferation and cell death. The possibilities of pharmacological intervention related to the YAP system in an attempt to use its modulation therapeutically are also discussed. Abstract The Hippo/YES-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway is a cell survival and proliferation-control system with its main activity that of regulating cell growth and organ volume. YAP operates as a transcriptional coactivator in regulating the onset, progression, and treatment response in numerous human tumors. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting the involvement of YAP in the control of the hematopoietic system, in physiological conditions rather than in hematological diseases. Nevertheless, several reports have proposed that the effects of YAP in tumor cells are cell-dependent and cell-type-determined, even if YAP usually interrelates with extracellular signaling to stimulate the onset and progression of tumors. In the present review, we report the most recent findings in the literature on the relationship between the YAP system and hematological neoplasms. Moreover, we evaluate the possible therapeutic use of the modulation of the YAP system in the treatment of malignancies. Given the effects of the YAP system in immunosurveillance, tumorigenesis, and chemoresistance, further studies on interactions between the YAP system and hematological malignancies will offer very relevant information for the targeting of these diseases employing YAP modifiers alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs.
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Jeong MG, Kim HK, Hwang ES. The essential role of TAZ in normal tissue homeostasis. Arch Pharm Res 2021; 44:253-262. [PMID: 33770379 PMCID: PMC8009801 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-021-01322-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) has been extensively characterized in organ development, tissue regeneration, and tumor progression. In particular, TAZ functions as a Hippo mediator that regulates organ size, tumor growth and migration. It is highly expressed in various types of human cancer, and has been reported to be associated with tumor metastasis and poor outcomes in cancer patients, suggesting that TAZ is an oncogenic regulator. Yes-associated protein (YAP) has 60% similarity in amino acid sequence to TAZ and plays redundant roles with TAZ in the regulation of cell proliferation and migration of cancer cells. Therefore, TAZ and YAP, which are encoded by paralogous genes, are referred to as TAZ/YAP and are suggested to be functionally equivalent. Despite its similarity to YAP, TAZ can be clearly distinguished from YAP based on its genetic, structural, and functional aspects. In addition, targeting superabundant TAZ can be a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment; however, persistent TAZ inactivation may cause failure of tissue homeostatic control. This review focuses primarily on TAZ, not YAP, discusses its structural features and physiological functions in the regulation of tissue homeostasis, and provides new insights into the drug development targeting TAZ to control reproductive and musculoskeletal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Gyeong Jeong
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, C206 Science building, 52 Ewhayeodae-Gil, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03760, Korea
| | - Hyo Kyeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, C206 Science building, 52 Ewhayeodae-Gil, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03760, Korea
| | - Eun Sook Hwang
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, C206 Science building, 52 Ewhayeodae-Gil, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03760, Korea.
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