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All-optical Mechanobiology Interrogation of Yes-associated Protein in Human Cancer and Normal Cells using a Multi-functional System
Published on: December 20, 2021
Expression of Yes-associated protein in common solid tumors
Angela A Steinhardt1, Mariana F Gayyed, Alison P Klein
1Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
Human Pathology
|August 16, 2008
Summary
The Hippo pathway
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology and cancer research.
- Investigating the Hippo signaling pathway and its role in cancer development.
Background:
- The Hippo signaling pathway regulates cell growth, division, and apoptosis.
- Yes-associated protein (YAP) is the nuclear effector of this pathway.
- YAP gene amplification (11q22) is linked to several human tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine YAP expression in four common malignant tumors.
- To compare YAP expression in normal tissues versus cancerous tissues.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated YAP expression intensity and distribution in normal and malignant tissues.
- Examined colonic adenocarcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, and ductal carcinoma of the breast.
- Scored nuclear and cytoplasmic YAP expression as negative, low, or high.
Main Results:
- Found focal YAP expression in normal tissue progenitor and reparative cells.
- Observed strong, diffuse nuclear and cytoplasmic YAP expression in colon, lung, and ovarian adenocarcinomas.
- Ductal carcinoma of the breast showed different YAP expression patterns (not detailed).
Conclusions:
- The Hippo pathway exhibits distinct YAP expression patterns in normal versus cancerous colon, lung, and ovarian tissues.
- YAP activation may be involved in normal tissue homeostasis and frequently activated in these three common cancers.
- Suggests YAP's role as a potential oncogenic pathway in these malignancies.
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