YAP Promotes Osteogenesis and Suppresses Adipogenic Differentiation by Regulating β-catenin Signaling

Overview

Journal Bone Res

Specialties Endocrinology
Orthopedics

Date 2018 Jun 7

PMID 29872550

Citations 120

Authors

Jin-Xiu Pan

Lei Xiong

Kai Zhao

Peng Zeng

Bo Wang

Fu-Lei Tang

Dong Sun

Hao-Han Guo

Xiao Yang

Shun Cui

Wen-Fang Xia

Lin Mei

Wen-Cheng Xiong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

YAP (yes-associated protein) is a transcriptional factor that is negatively regulated by Hippo pathway, a conserved pathway for the development and size control of multiple organs. The exact function of YAP in bone homeostasis remains controversial. Here we provide evidence for YAP's function in promoting osteogenesis, suppressing adipogenesis, and thus maintaining bone homeostasis. YAP is selectively expressed in osteoblast (OB)-lineage cells. Conditionally knocking out in the OB lineage in mice reduces cell proliferation and OB differentiation and increases adipocyte formation, resulting in a trabecular bone loss. Mechanistically, YAP interacts with β-catenin and is necessary for maintenance of nuclear β-catenin level and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Expression of β-catenin in YAP-deficient BMSCs (bone marrow stromal cells) diminishes the osteogenesis deficit. These results thus identify YAP-β-catenin as an important pathway for osteogenesis during adult bone remodeling and uncover a mechanism underlying YAP regulation of bone homeostasis.

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