YAP/TAZ interacts with RBM39 to confer resistance against indisulam.

The Hippo pathway and its downstream effectors, Yes-associated protein/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ), are essential for cell growth and organ development. Emerging evidence revealed that the Hippo pathway and YAP/TAZ are frequently dysregulated by multiple genetic alterations in solid cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, the YAP/TAZ-nuclear interactome remains unclear. RNA-binding motif protein 39 (RBM39) enhances transcriptional activity of several transcription factors and also regulates mRNA splicing. Indisulam degrading RBM39 induces alternative splicing, leading to cell death. However, clinical trials of indisulam have failed to show effectiveness. Therefore, clarifying the resistance mechanism against splicing inhibitors is urgently required. In this study, we identified RBM39 as a novel YAP/TAZ-interacting molecule by proteome analysis. RBM39 promoted YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity. We further elucidated that indisulam reduces RBM39/YAP/TAZ-mediated integrin or collagen expression, thereby inactivating focal adhesion kinase (FAK) important for cell survival. Moreover, indisulam also induced alternative splicing of cell cycle- or DNA metabolism-related genes. YAP/TAZ hyperactivation delayed indisulam-induced RBM39 degradation, which restored the integrin/collagen expression to activate FAK, and alternative splicing, thereby conferring resistance against indisulam in vitro and in vivo. Our findings may aid to develop a novel cancer therapy focusing on YAP/TAZ/RBM39 interaction.

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) mediates 5-HT-induced insulin resistance through activation of EGF receptor-ERK1/2-mTOR pathway.

Although an inverse correlation between insulin sensitivity and the level of Gq/11-coupled receptor agonists, such as endothelin-1, thrombin, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), has been reported, its precise mechanism remains unclear. In this report, we provide evidence that 5-HT induced production of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and caused insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, primary adipocytes, and C2C12 myotubes. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, 5-HT stimulated HB-EGF production by promoting metalloproteinase-dependent shedding of transmembrane protein pro-HB-EGF. HB-EGF then bound and tyrosine-phosphorylated EGF receptors, which activated the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway through ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Mammalian target of rapamycin activation caused serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1, which attenuated insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 and glucose uptake. Pharmacological inhibition of either Gq/11-coupled receptors or metalloproteinases, as well as either inhibition or knockdown of HB-EGF or Gαq/11, restored insulin signal transduction impaired by 5-HT. Inhibition of metalloproteinase activity also abolished HB-EGF production and subsequent EGF receptor activation by other Gq/11-coupled receptor agonists known to cause insulin resistance, such as endothelin-1 and thrombin. These results suggest that transactivation of the EGF receptor through HB-EGF processing plays a pivotal role in 5-HT-induced insulin resistance.