Nature Communications
Nature Communications
4 years ago

YAP regulates cell mechanics by controlling focal adhesion assembly

YAP regulates cell mechanics by controlling focal adhesion assembly
Stefania Pagliari, Cecilia Martini, Martin Pešl, Jorge Oliver-De La Cruz, Petr Skládal, Gorazd Bernard Stokin, Jan Vrbsky, Nicola Maria Pugno, Andres Sanz-Garcia, Zuzana Maceckova, Guido Caluori, Fabiana Martino, Marian Hajduch, Giorgia Nardone, Jan Pribyl, Giancarlo Forte
Hippo effectors YAP/TAZ act as on–off mechanosensing switches by sensing modifications in extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and mechanics. The regulation of their activity has been described by a hierarchical model in which elements of Hippo pathway are under the control of focal adhesions (FAs). Here we unveil the molecular mechanism by which cell spreading and RhoA GTPase activity control FA formation through YAP to stabilize the anchorage of the actin cytoskeleton to the cell membrane. This mechanism requires YAP co-transcriptional function and involves the activation of genes encoding for integrins and FA docking proteins. Tuning YAP transcriptional activity leads to the modification of cell mechanics, force development and adhesion strength, and determines cell shape, migration and differentiation. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of YAP mechanosensing activity and qualify this Hippo effector as the key determinant of cell mechanics in response to ECM cues.

Publisher URL: http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15321

DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15321

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