Yap1-Scribble polarization is required for hematopoietic stem cell division and fate

Yap1 and its paralogue Taz largely control epithelial tissue growth. We have identified that hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) fitness response to stress depends on Yap1 and Taz. Deletion of Yap1 and Taz induces a loss of HSC quiescence, symmetric self-renewal ability and renders HSC more vulnerable to serial myeloablative 5-fluorouracil treatment. This effect depends on the predominant cytosolic polarization of Yap1 through its PDZ domain-mediated interaction with the scaffold Scribble. Scribble and Yap1 coordinate to control cytoplasmic Cdc42 activity and HSC fate determination in vivo. Deletion of Scribble disrupts Yap1 co-polarization with Cdc42 and decreases Cdc42 activity, resulting in increased selfrenewing HSC with competitive reconstitution advantages. These data suggest that Scribble/Yap1 co-polarization is indispensable for Cdc42- dependent activity on HSC asymmetric division and fate. The combined loss of Scribble, Yap1 and Taz results in transcriptional upregulation of Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors, Rac activation and HSC fitness restoration. Scribble links Cdc42 and the cytosolic functions of the Hippo signaling cascade in HSC fate determination. Overall design: Four independent biological samples were analyzed (Wild type, Scribble-/-, Taz-/-;Yap1-/- and Scribble-/-;Taz-/-;Yap1-/- hematopoietic stem cells) with experimental replicates. The Wild type sample was used as control/ reference sample