The Transcriptional Regulators TAZ and YAP Direct Transforming Growth Factor β-induced Tumorigenic Phenotypes in Breast Cancer Cells

Background: The TGF and Hippo pathways are dysregulated in metastatic breast cancers. Results: TGF-induced cues and nuclear TAZ/YAP converge at the transcriptional level to control gene expression important for tumorigenesis. Conclusion: TAZ/YAP are required to promote TGF-induced tumorigenic phenotypes in breast cancer cells. Significance: Our study reveals novel cross-talk between the TGF pathway and TAZ/YAP in late-stage breast cancers. Uncontrolled transforming growth factor- (TGF) signaling promotes aggressive metastatic properties in late-stage breast cancers. However, how TGF-mediated cues are directed to induce tumorigenic events is poorly understood, particularly given that TGF has clear tumor suppressing activity in other contexts. Here, we demonstrate that the transcriptional regulators TAZ and YAP (TAZ/YAP), key effectors of the Hippo pathway, are necessary to promote and maintain TGF-induced tumorigenic phenotypes in breast cancer cells. Interactions between TAZ/YAP, TGF-activated SMAD2/3, and TEAD transcription factors reveal convergent roles for these factors in the nucleus. Genome-wide expression analyses indicate that TAZ/YAP, TEADs, and TGF-induced signals coordinate a specific pro-tumorigenic transcriptional program. Importantly, genes cooperatively regulated by TAZ/YAP, TEAD, and TGF, such as the novel targets NEGR1 and UCA1, are necessary for maintaining tumorigenic activity in metastatic breast cancer cells. Nuclear TAZ/YAP also cooperate with TGF signaling to promote phenotypic and transcriptional changes in nontumorigenic cells to overcome TGF-repressive effects. Our work thus identifies cross-talk between nuclear TAZ/YAP and TGF signaling in breast cancer cells, revealing novel insight into late-stage disease-driving mechanisms.