Project description:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease with high unmet medical need. Most patients are diagnosed at late stage with few therapeutic options and a dismal prognosis. While molecular genomic studies have been helpful in improving the understanding and treatment of many types of cancer, their impact on HCC has been negligible so far. This is largely due to a poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this cancer and the lack of dominant oncogene that can be targeted pharmacologically. Here we report the identification of a novel Yes oncogenic signaling pathway in HCC that has escaped large-scale molecular genetic studies. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacological interventions in cellular and mouse models of HCC, we show that Yes activity is necessary for HCC cell proliferation. Transgenic expression of activated Yes in mouse hepatocytes is sufficient to induce liver tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, we found that Yes directly phosphorylates YAP and TAZ, promoting their nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity in HCC cells and liver tumors, and that YAP/TAZ are effectors of Yes oncogenic transformation. Src-family kinase activation correlates with YAP tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear localization in human HCC, and is associated with increased tumor burden. Specifically, high Yes activity predicts significantly shorter overall survival in HCC patients. Our findings identify Yes as a potential therapeutic target in HCC.
Project description:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease with high unmet medical need. Most patients are diagnosed at late stage with few therapeutic options and a dismal prognosis. While molecular genomic studies have been helpful in improving the understanding and treatment of many types of cancer, their impact on HCC has been negligible so far. This is largely due to a poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this cancer and the lack of dominant oncogene that can be targeted pharmacologically. Here we report the identification of a novel Yes oncogenic signaling pathway in HCC that has escaped large-scale molecular genetic studies. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacological interventions in cellular and mouse models of HCC, we show that Yes activity is necessary for HCC cell proliferation. Transgenic expression of activated Yes in mouse hepatocytes is sufficient to induce liver tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, we found that Yes directly phosphorylates YAP and TAZ, promoting their nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity in HCC cells and liver tumors, and that YAP/TAZ are effectors of Yes oncogenic transformation. Src-family kinase activation correlates with YAP tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear localization in human HCC, and is associated with increased tumor burden. Specifically, high Yes activity predicts significantly shorter overall survival in HCC patients. Our findings identify Yes as a potential therapeutic target in HCC.
Project description:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease with high unmet medical need. Most patients are diagnosed at late stage with few therapeutic options and a dismal prognosis. While molecular genomic studies have been helpful in improving the understanding and treatment of many types of cancer, their impact on HCC has been negligible so far. This is largely due to a poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this cancer and the lack of dominant oncogene that can be targeted pharmacologically. Here we report the identification of a novel Yes oncogenic signaling pathway in HCC that has escaped large-scale molecular genetic studies. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacological interventions in cellular and mouse models of HCC, we show that Yes activity is necessary for HCC cell proliferation. Transgenic expression of activated Yes in mouse hepatocytes is sufficient to induce liver tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, we found that Yes directly phosphorylates YAP and TAZ, promoting their nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity in HCC cells and liver tumors, and that YAP/TAZ are effectors of Yes oncogenic transformation. Src-family kinase activation correlates with YAP tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear localization in human HCC, and is associated with increased tumor burden. Specifically, high Yes activity predicts significantly shorter overall survival in HCC patients. Our findings identify Yes as a potential therapeutic target in HCC.
Project description:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease with high unmet medical need. Most patients are diagnosed at late stage with few therapeutic options and a dismal prognosis. While molecular genomic studies have been helpful in improving the understanding and treatment of many types of cancer, their impact on HCC has been negligible so far. This is largely due to a poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this cancer and the lack of dominant oncogene that can be targeted pharmacologically. Here we report the identification of a novel Yes oncogenic signaling pathway in HCC that has escaped large-scale molecular genetic studies. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacological interventions in cellular and mouse models of HCC, we show that Yes activity is necessary for HCC cell proliferation. Transgenic expression of activated Yes in mouse hepatocytes is sufficient to induce liver tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, we found that Yes directly phosphorylates YAP and TAZ, promoting their nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity in HCC cells and liver tumors, and that YAP/TAZ are effectors of Yes oncogenic transformation. Src-family kinase activation correlates with YAP tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear localization in human HCC, and is associated with increased tumor burden. Specifically, high Yes activity predicts significantly shorter overall survival in HCC patients. Our findings identify Yes as a potential therapeutic target in HCC.