YPEL3 expression induces cellular senescence via the Hippo signaling pathway in human breast cancer cells

Yeonju Kwon1, Hyein Lee1, Hyemin Park1

  • 1College of Pharmacy and Center for Metareceptome Research, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974 Republic of Korea.

Toxicological Research
|October 2, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The Hippo pathway regulates organ size. In breast cancer, YAP1 inhibits YPEL3, and downregulating YAP1 induces senescence and apoptosis, offering new therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cell biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The Hippo pathway controls organ size by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is an oncogene implicated in breast cancer progression.
  • Yippee-like 3 (YPEL3) is a p53 target gene that inhibits cell growth and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between YAP1 and YPEL3 in breast cancer.
  • To explore the role of YPEL3 in cellular senescence and apoptosis.
  • To elucidate the Hippo signaling pathway's role in breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated YAP1's effect on YPEL3 expression in breast cancer cells.
  • Assessed cellular senescence markers (lamin B1, β-galactosidase) upon YPEL3 upregulation.
  • Measured mitochondrial oxygen consumption and apoptosis rates.

Main Results:

  • YAP1 was found to inhibit YPEL3 expression in breast cancer cells.
  • Downregulating YAP1 and upregulating YPEL3 induced cellular senescence.
  • Elevated YPEL3 levels increased mitochondrial oxygen consumption and promoted apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • YAP1 inhibits YPEL3, and YPEL3 upregulation induces senescence and apoptosis in breast cancer.
  • YPEL3 plays a key role in oxidative stress and apoptosis regulation.
  • The YAP1-YPEL3 interaction offers a novel mechanism for Hippo pathway-mediated senescence and potential therapeutic strategies.

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