YAP promotes neural crest emigration through interactions with BMP and Wnt activities

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Neural crest progenitors undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition for migration.
• BMP and Wnt signaling regulate trunk neural crest emigration.
• The molecular network governing this process requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of Yes-associated-protein (YAP) in neural crest emigration.
• To determine the relationship between YAP, BMP, and Wnt signaling in this context.

Main Methods:

• Utilized avian embryos with manipulated YAP gene activity via in ovo plasmid electroporation.
• Assessed neural crest emigration, survival, and proliferation.
• Analyzed neural crest-derived cell differentiation (sensory neurons, melanocytes) and pathway activity (YAP, BMP, Wnt) using reporters and immunohistochemistry.

Main Results:

• YAP is expressed and active in premigratory neural crest cells.
• Increased YAP activity promotes neural crest emigration, while decreased activity inhibits it.
• YAP signaling influences cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of neural crest derivatives.
• YAP activity is bidirectionally linked with BMP and Wnt signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

• YAP is a necessary regulator of neural crest progenitor emigration.
• YAP signaling is integrated into the BMP/Wnt-dependent molecular network controlling trunk neural crest emigration.