Alternative Wnt Signaling Activates YAP/TAZ.

ABSTRACT: The transcriptional co-activators YAP and TAZ are key regulators of organ size and tissue homeostasis, and their dysregulation contributes to human cancer. Here, we discover YAP/TAZ as bona fide downstream effectors of the alternative Wnt signaling pathway. Wnt5a/b and Wnt3a induce YAP/TAZ activation independent of canonical Wnt/?-catenin signaling. Mechanistically, we delineate the "alternative Wnt-YAP/TAZ signaling axis" that consists of Wnt-FZD/ROR-G?12/13-Rho GTPases-Lats1/2 to promote YAP/TAZ activation and TEAD-mediated transcription. YAP/TAZ mediate the biological functions of alternative Wnt signaling, including gene expression, osteogenic differentiation, cell migration, and antagonism of Wnt/?-catenin signaling. Together, our work establishes YAP/TAZ as critical mediators of alternative Wnt signaling.

SUBMITTER: Park HW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4538707 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature