Expression levels and activation status of Yap splicing isoforms determine self ‐renewal and differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells

Two Yap isoforms are found to be expressed and have overlapping and distinct functions in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Yap472 exerts a more pronounced biological effect and being more essential for neuroectoderm differentiation than Yap488. Whereas wild type Yap promotes ESC self ‐renewal, constitutive Yap activation induces trophectoderm trans‐differentiation. These findings reveal a multifaceted and cell state‐dependent role of Yaps in ESC fate decision. AbstractYap is the key effector of Hippo signaling; however, its role in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) remains controversial. Here, we identify two Yap splicing isoforms (Yap472 and Yap488), which show equal expression levels but heterogeneous distribution in ESCs. Knockout (KO) of both isoforms reduces ESC self ‐renewal, accelerates pluripotency exit but arrests terminal differentiation, while overexpression of each isoform leads to the reverse phenotype. The effect of both Yap isoforms on self‐renewal is Teads‐dependent and mediated by c‐Myc. Nonetheless, different isoforms are found to affect ove rlapping yet distinct genes, and confer different developmental potential to Yap‐KO cells, with Yap472 exerting a more pronounced biological effect and being more essential for neuroectoderm differentiation. Constitutive activation of Yaps, particularly Yap472, dramatically upregulates p53 and Cdx 2, inducing trophectoderm trans‐differentiation even under self‐renewal conditions. These findings reveal the combi...
Source: Stem Cells - Category: Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Stem Cell Technology: Epigenetics, Genomics, Proteomics and Metabonomics Source Type: research