Studying YAP-Mediated 3D Morphogenesis Using Fish Embryos and Human Spheroids.

Area of Science:

• Cell biology
• Developmental biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a key nuclear effector in the Hippo signaling pathway.
• YAP has been identified as a mechano-transducer, responding to mechanical cues.
• Recent studies suggest YAP also acts as a mechano-effector, influencing cellular and tissue mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate that YAP functions as a mechano-effector in three-dimensional (3D) morphogenesis.
• To present a research platform that integrates findings from fish embryos and human cells.
• To provide tools for investigating YAP's role in regulating organ and global body shape via actomyosin-mediated tissue tension.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing mutant fish embryos (medaka) for in vivo and ex vivo analyses.
• Employing human 3D cell spheroids for in vitro investigations.
• Analyzing tissue tension-mediated global body shape and organ morphogenesis.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated YAP as a mechano-effector using mutant fish and human 3D spheroids.
• Showcased YAP's function in 3D morphogenesis by controlling actomyosin-mediated tissue tension.
• Established a linked platform for comparing YAP's role in fish and human systems.

Conclusions:

• YAP is a crucial mechano-effector regulating tissue tension during morphogenesis.
• The presented platform effectively links in vivo (fish) and in vitro (human cells) findings.
• This research provides valuable tools for understanding YAP's molecular mechanisms in body and organ development.