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Activation of β-catenin and Yap1 in human hepatoblastoma and induction of hepatocarcinogenesis in mice
Junyan Tao1, Diego F Calvisi2, Sarangarajan Ranganathan3
1Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
Beta-catenin and Yes-associated protein 1 (Yap1) physically interact and are activated in hepatoblastoma. Their co-activation drives rapid liver tumor development in mice, suggesting new therapeutic targets for this cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Aberrant activation of beta-catenin and Yap1 signaling pathways is linked to various cancers.
- Yap1 acts as a transcriptional coactivator by interacting with TEA domain DNA binding proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactions between beta-catenin and Yap1 signaling pathways during hepatic tumorigenesis.
- To determine the role of these pathways in hepatoblastoma development.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of beta-catenin and Yap1 expression in human liver cancer tissues (hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma).
- Assessment of signaling and interactions in hepatoblastoma cell lines using small interfering RNA knockdown.
- In vivo studies involving hydrodynamic transfection to overexpress active beta-catenin and Yap1 in mouse livers.
Main Results:
- Nuclear localization of beta-catenin and Yap1 was observed in 79% of hepatoblastoma samples.
- Yap1 and beta-catenin physically coprecipitated in hepatoblastoma cells.
- Knockdown of either protein reduced hepatoblastoma cell proliferation additively; co-overexpression in mice led to rapid tumorigenesis and 100% mortality.
Conclusions:
- Beta-catenin and Yap1 interact physically and are activated in most human hepatoblastoma.
- Overexpression of activated beta-catenin and Yap1 in mouse livers rapidly induces tumor development.
- These findings highlight potential therapeutic targets for hepatoblastoma.
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