YAP/TAZ-dependent transcriptome in cholangiocarcinoma cells

The Hippo pathway effectors yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain containing transcription regulator 1 (TAZ/WWTR1) support tumor initiation and progression in various cancer types. However, to which extent YAP and TAZ cooperatively contribute to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) development and progression is poorly understood. Our immunohistochemical studies showed that YAP and TAZ were expressed in different CCA subtypes. However, nuclear co-expression was not frequently detected. RNAinterference (RNAi) experiments illustrated that YAP and TAZ supported CCA cell viability. Comprehensive expression profiling of HUCCT-1 cells after combined silencing of YAP/TAZ revealed a potential impact on chromosomal instability. Gene-specific siRNAs (YAP1, YAP2, TAZ2, TAZ3) were transently transfected in HUCCT-1 cells. Nonsense/Scrambled siRNA-transfected and combined YAP/TAZ-specific siRNAs were used (in total 40 nM). Total mRNA was extracted 24 hours after transfection.