Human embryonic stem cell-specific role of YAP in maintenance of self-renewal and survival

Summary

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have unique characteristics, such as self-renewal and pluripotency, which are distinct from those of other cell types. These characteristics of hESCs are tightly regulated by complex signaling mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrate that yes-associated protein (YAP) functions in an hESC-specific manner to maintain self-renewal and survival in hESCs. hESCs were highly sensitive to YAP downregulation to promote cell survival. Interestingly, hESCs displayed dynamic changes in YAP expression in response to YAP downregulation. YAP was critical for the maintenance of self-renewal. Additionally, the function of YAP in maintenance of self-renewal and cell survival was hESC-specific. Doxycycline upregulated YAP in hESCs and attenuated the decreased cell survival induced by YAP downregulation. However, decreased expression of self-renewal markers triggered by YAP downregulation and neural/cardiac differentiation were affected by doxycycline treatment. Collectively, the results reveal the mechanism underlying the role of YAP and the novel function of doxycycline in hESCs. © 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Authors Choe MS, Bae CM, Kim SJ, Oh ST, Kown YJ, Choi WY, Han HJ, Baek KM, Chang W, Kim JS, Lim KS, Yun SP, Lee MY
Journal Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS
Publication Date 2022 Oct 11;79(11):544
PubMed 36219276
DOI 10.1007/s00018-022-04558-x

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