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Updated: Jun 29, 2025

All-optical Mechanobiology Interrogation of Yes-associated Protein in Human Cancer and Normal Cells using a Multi-functional System
Published on: December 20, 2021
DLC1 promotes mechanotransductive feedback for YAP via RhoGAP-mediated focal adhesion turnover
Aukie Hooglugt1,2, Miesje M van der Stoel1, Apeksha Shapeti3
1Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The deleted-in-liver-cancer-1 (DLC1) protein negatively regulates YAP/TAZ activity by reducing their nuclear localization. This feedback loop is essential for controlling endothelial cell migration during sprouting angiogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Angiogenesis requires a balance between pro-angiogenic signals and vascular stability.
- YAP (YAP1) and TAZ (WWTR1) are key transcriptional co-factors regulating endothelial cell migration.
- DLC1 is a downstream target of YAP/TAZ in endothelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feedback mechanism between DLC1 and YAP/TAZ activity in angiogenesis.
- To elucidate the role of DLC1's RhoGAP domain in regulating YAP/TAZ.
- To understand how DLC1 influences cellular processes during sprouting angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the interaction between DLC1 and YAP/TAZ.
- Assessed the impact of DLC1's RhoGAP activity on YAP nuclear localization and transcriptional activity.
- Analyzed DLC1's role in focal adhesion turnover, cellular tension, and sprouting angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- DLC1 signaling, via its RhoGAP domain, reduces YAP/TAZ nuclear localization and transcriptional activity.
- DLC1's RhoGAP activity is critical for YAP-mediated regulation of focal adhesion turnover and traction forces.
- DLC1 mitigates intracellular cytoskeletal tension by inhibiting Rho signaling, thereby reducing nuclear YAP localization.
Conclusions:
- A negative feedback loop exists between DLC1 expression and YAP/TAZ activity during angiogenesis.
- DLC1 acts as a crucial mechanotransductive regulator, fine-tuning YAP/TAZ activity through intracellular tension.
- DLC1's function is vital for controlling collective cell migration and sprouting angiogenesis.
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