YAP and/or TAZ inhibition in HepG2 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 entities including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, to which extent YAP and TAZ contribute to liver tumorigenesis via common and exclusive molecular mechanisms is poorly understood. RNAinterference (RNAi) experiments illustrate that YAP and TAZ individually support HCC cell viability and migration, while for invasion additive effects were observed. Comprehensive expression profiling revealed partly overlapping YAP/TAZ target genes as well as exclusively regulated genes. Gene-specific siRNAs (YAP1, YAP2: two independent siRNAs both targeting the gene YAP1, and TAZ2, TAZ3: independent siRNAs both targeting the gene TAZ) were transiently transfected in HepG2 cells (20 nM each). Nonsense/Scrambled siRNA-transfected and combined YAP/TAZ-specific siRNAs were transiently transfected in HepG2 cells (in total 40 nM). Total mRNA was extracted 24 hours after transfection. Control and YAP1/2 samples are also available in GSE121732 and are included here so that all samples can be downloaded together.