title: YAP/TAZ as mechanosensors and mechanotransducers in regulating organ size and tumor growth.
abstract: Organ size is controlled by the concerted action of biochemical and physical processes. Although mechanical forces are known to regulate cell and tissue behavior, as well as organogenesis, the precise molecular events that integrate mechanical and biochemical signals to control these processes are not fully known. The recently delineated Hippo-tumor suppressor network and its two nuclear effectors, YAP and TAZ, shed light on these mechanisms. YAP and TAZ are proto-oncogene proteins that respond to complex physical milieu represented by the rigidity of the extracellular matrix, cell geometry, cell density, cell polarity and the status of the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we review the current knowledge of how YAP and TAZ function as mechanosensors and mechanotransducers. We also suggest that by deciphering the mechanical and biochemical signals controlling YAP/TAZ function, we will gain insights into new strategies for cancer treatment and organ regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive, 117411, Republic of Singapore; Cell Signaling and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Republic of Singapore. Electronic address: dbslowbc@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Boon Chuan
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive, 117411, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Catherine Qiurong
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive, 117411, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Shivashankar
authors.affiliation: Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive, 117411, Republic of Singapore; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bershadsky
authors.affiliation: Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive, 117411, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sudol
authors.affiliation: Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive, 117411, Republic of Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA. Electronic address: ms2001@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheetz
mesh_terms: D000217:Acyltransferases; D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D009929:Organ Size; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000091102:YAP-Signaling Proteins
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000091102:YAP-Signaling Proteins; C088374:YAP1 protein, human; D000217:Acyltransferases; C108675:TAFAZZIN protein, human
keywords: Hippo tumor suppressor; Mechanosensor; Mechanotransducer; Organ size; YAP/TAZ