TAZ stimulates liver regeneration through interleukin-6-induced hepatocyte proliferation and inhibition of cell death after liver injury.

In response to liver injury, the liver undergoes a regeneration process to retain its mass and function. However, the regeneration mechanism has not been fully clarified. This study investigated the role of transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), a Hippo-signaling effector, in liver regeneration. We observed that TAZ stimulates liver regeneration after liver injury. After partial hepatectomy (PHx) or carbon tetrachloride damage, TAZ was required for liver regeneration to increase hepatic cell proliferation and resist hepatic apoptosis, which were decreased in liver-specific TAZ knockout (LKO) mice. TAZ stimulated macrophage infiltration, resulting in IL-6 production, which induced liver regeneration. In LKO mice, IL-6-induced activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, ERK, and PKB was decreased. We also observed that periductal fibrogenesis was significantly increased in LKO mice during liver regeneration after PHx, which was caused by increased hepatic apoptosis. Our results suggest that TAZ stimulates liver regeneration through IL-6-induced hepatocyte proliferation and inhibition of cell death after liver injury.-Kim, A. R., Park, J. I., Oh, H. T., Kim, K. M., Hwang, J.-H., Jeong, M. G., Kim, E.-H., Hwang, E. S., Hong, J.-H. TAZ stimulates liver regeneration through interleukin-6-induced hepatocyte proliferation and inhibition of cell death after liver injury.

TAZ couples Hippo/Wnt signalling and insulin sensitivity through Irs1 expression.

Insulin regulates blood glucose levels by binding its receptor and stimulating downstream proteins through the insulin receptor substrate (IRS). Impaired insulin signalling leads to metabolic syndrome, but the regulation of this process is not well understood. Here, we describe a novel insulin signalling regulatory pathway involving TAZ. TAZ upregulates IRS1 and stimulates Akt- and Glut4-mediated glucose uptake in muscle cells. Muscle-specific TAZ-knockout mice shows significantly decreased Irs1 expression and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, TAZ is required for Wnt signalling-induced Irs1 expression, as observed by decreased Irs1 expression and insulin sensitivity in muscle-specific APC- and TAZ-double-knockout mice. TAZ physically interacts with c-Jun and Tead4 to induce Irs1 transcription. Finally, statin administration decreases TAZ, IRS1 level and insulin sensitivity. However, in myoblasts, the statin-mediated decrease in insulin sensitivity is counteracted by the expression of a constitutively active TAZ mutant. These results suggest that TAZ is a novel insulin signalling activator that increases insulin sensitivity and couples Hippo/Wnt signalling and insulin sensitivity.

SRC activates TAZ for intestinal tumorigenesis and regeneration.

Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (cSRC) is involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and damage-induced intestinal regeneration, although the cellular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Here, we report that transcriptional coactivator with PDZ binding domain (TAZ) is activated by cSRC, regulating CRC cell proliferation and tumor formation, where cSRC overexpression increases TAZ expression in CRC cells. In contrast, knockdown of cSRC decreases TAZ expression. Additionally, direct phosphorylation of TAZ at Tyr316 by cSRC stimulates nuclear localization and facilitates transcriptional enhancer factor TEF-3 (TEAD4)-mediated transcription. However, a TAZ phosphorylation mutant significantly decreased cell proliferation, wound healing, colony forming, and tumor formation. In a CRC mouse model, ApcMin/+, activated SRC expression was associated with increased TAZ expression in polyps and TAZ depletion decreased polyp formation. Moreover, intestinal TAZ knockout mice had intestinal regeneration defects following γ-irradiation. Finally, significant correspondence between SRC activation and TAZ overexpression was observed in CRC patients. These results suggest that TAZ is a critical factor for SRC-mediated intestinal tumor formation and regeneration.

Nanotopological plate stimulates osteogenic differentiation through TAZ activation.

The topographical environment, which mimics the stem cell niche, provides mechanical cues to regulate the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Diverse topographical variations have been engineered to investigate cellular responses; however, the types of mechanical parameters that affect cells, and their underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we screened nanotopological pillars with size gradient to activate transcriptional coactivator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ), which stimulates osteogenesis of MSC. We observed that a nanotopological plate, 70 nm in diameter, significantly induces osteogenic differentiation with the activation of TAZ. TAZ activation via the nanotopological plate was mediated by actin polymerization and Rho signaling, as evidenced by the cytosolic localization of TAZ under F-actin or Rho kinase inhibitor. The FAK and MAPK pathways also play a role in TAZ activation by the nanotopological plate because the inhibitor of ERK and JNK blocked nanopattern plate induced osteogenic differentiation. Taken together, these results indicate that nanotopology regulates cell differentiation through TAZ activation.

Catechins activate muscle stem cells by Myf5 induction and stimulate muscle regeneration.

Muscle weakness is one of the most common symptoms in aged individuals and increases risk of mortality. Thus, maintenance of muscle mass is important for inhibiting aging. In this study, we investigated the effect of catechins, polyphenol compounds in green tea, on muscle regeneration. We found that (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) activate satellite cells by induction of Myf5 transcription factors. For satellite cell activation, Akt kinase was significantly induced after ECG treatment and ECG-induced satellite cell activation was blocked in the presence of Akt inhibitor. ECG also promotes myogenic differentiation through the induction of myogenic markers, including Myogenin and Muscle creatine kinase (MCK), in satellite and C2C12 myoblast cells. Finally, EGCG administration to mice significantly increased muscle fiber size for regeneration. Taken together, the results suggest that catechins stimulate muscle stem cell activation and differentiation for muscle regeneration.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate stimulates myogenic differentiation through TAZ activation.

Muscle loss is a typical process of aging. Green tea consumption is known to slow down the progress of aging. Their underlying mechanisms, however, remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenolic compound of green tea, on myogenic differentiation and found that EGCG significantly increases myogenic differentiation. After EGCG treatment, the expression of myogenic marker genes, such as myosin heavy chain, are increased through activation of TAZ, a transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding motif. TAZ-knockdown does not stimulate EGCG-induced myogenic differentiation. EGCG facilitates the interaction between TAZ and MyoD, which stimulates MyoD-mediated gene transcription. EGCG induces nuclear localization of TAZ through the dephosphorylation of TAZ at its Ser89 residue, which relieves 14-3-3 binding in the cytosol. Interestingly, inactivation of Lats kinase is observed after EGCG treatment, which is responsible for the production of dephosphorylated TAZ. Together, these results suggest that EGCG induces myogenic differentiation through TAZ, suggesting that TAZ plays an important role in EGCG induced muscle regeneration.

Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation through MAPK Activation.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation is regulated by the extracellular matrix (ECM) through activation of intracellular signaling mediators. The stiffness of the ECM was shown to be an important regulatory factor for MSC differentiation, and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) was identified as an effector protein for MSC differentiation. However, the detailed underlying mechanism regarding the role of ECM stiffness and TAZ in MSC differentiation is not yet fully understood. In this report, we showed that ECM stiffness regulates MSC fate through ERK or JNK activation. Specifically, a stiff hydrogel matrix stimulates osteogenic differentiation concomitant with increased nuclear localization of TAZ, but inhibits adipogenic differentiation. ERK and JNK activity was significantly increased in cells cultured on a stiff hydrogel. TAZ activation was induced by ERK or JNK activation on a stiff hydrogel because exposure to an ERK or JNK inhibitor significantly decreased the nuclear localization of TAZ, indicating that ECM stiffness-induced ERK or JNK activation is important for TAZ-driven osteogenic differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that ECM stiffness regulates MSC differentiation through ERK or JNK activation.

Shear stress induced by an interstitial level of slow flow increases the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through TAZ activation.

Shear stress activates cellular signaling involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and migration. However, the mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation under interstitial flow are not fully understood. Here, we show the increased osteogenic differentiation of MSCs under exposure to constant, extremely low shear stress created by osmotic pressure-induced flow in a microfluidic chip. The interstitial level of shear stress in the proposed microfluidic system stimulated nuclear localization of TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif), a transcriptional modulator of MSCs, activated TAZ target genes such as CTGF and Cyr61, and induced osteogenic differentiation. TAZ-depleted cells showed defects in shear stress-induced osteogenic differentiation. In shear stress induced cellular signaling, Rho signaling pathway was important forthe nuclear localization of TAZ. Taken together, these results suggest that TAZ is an important mediator of interstitial flow-driven shear stress signaling in osteoblast differentiation of MSCs.

(-)-Epicatechin gallate (ECG) stimulates osteoblast differentiation via Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ)-mediated transcriptional activation.

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease characterized by low bone mass and is caused by an imbalance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. It is known that the bioactive compounds present in green tea increase osteogenic activity and decrease the risk of fracture by improving bone mineral density. However, the detailed mechanism underlying these beneficial effects has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the osteogenic effect of (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), a major bioactive compound found in green tea. We found that ECG effectively stimulates osteoblast differentiation, indicated by the increased expression of osteoblastic marker genes. Up-regulation of osteoblast marker genes is mediated by increased expression and interaction of the transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). ECG facilitates nuclear localization of TAZ through PP1A. PP1A is essential for osteoblast differentiation because inhibition of PP1A activity was shown to suppress ECG-mediated osteogenic differentiation. Taken together, the results showed that ECG stimulates osteoblast differentiation through the activation of TAZ and RUNX2, revealing a novel mechanism for green tea-stimulated osteoblast differentiation.

FGF2 stimulates osteogenic differentiation through ERK induced TAZ expression.

TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif) is a transcriptional modulator that regulates mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. It stimulates osteogenic differentiation while inhibiting adipocyte differentiation. FGFs (fibroblast growth factors) stimulate several signaling proteins to regulate their target genes, which are involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell survival. Within this family, FGF2 stimulates osteoblast differentiation though a mechanism that is largely unknown. In this report, we show that TAZ mediates FGF2 signaling in osteogenesis. We observed that FGF2 increases TAZ expression by stimulating its mRNA expression. Depletion of TAZ using small hairpin RNA blocked FGF2-mediated osteogenic differentiation. FGF2 induced TAZ expression was stimulated by ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) activation and the inhibition of ERK blocked TAZ expression. FGF2 increased nuclear localization of TAZ and, thus, facilitated the interaction of TAZ and Runx2, activating Runx2-mediated gene transcription. Taken together, these results suggest that TAZ is an important mediator of FGF2 signaling in osteoblast differentiation.

Phorbaketal A inhibits adipogenic differentiation through the suppression of PPARγ-mediated gene transcription by TAZ.

Obesity causes several metabolic diseases, including diabetes. Adipogenic differentiation is an important event for fat formation in obesity. Natural compounds that inhibit adipogenic differentiation are frequently screened to develop therapeutic drugs for treating obesity. Here we investigated the effects of phorbaketal A, a natural marine compound, on adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Phorbaketal A significantly inhibited adipogenic differentiation as indicated by less fat droplets and decreased expression of adipogenic marker genes. The expression of TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif), an inhibitor of adipogenic differentiation, significantly increased during adipogenic differentiation in the presence of phorbaketal A. Phorbaketal A increased the interaction of TAZ and PPARγ to suppress PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ) target gene expression. TAZ-depleted cells showed higher adipogenic potential than that of control cells even in the presence of phorbaketal A. During cellular signaling induced by phorbaketal A, ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) played an important role in adipogenic suppression; an inhibitor of ERK blocked phorbaketal A-induced adipogenic suppression. Thus, the results show that phorbaketal A inhibits adipocyte differentiation through TAZ.

Idesolide inhibits the adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells through the suppression of nitric oxide production.

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide and can increase the risk for several chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we screened small compounds isolated from natural products for the development of an anti-obesity drug. Among them, idesolide, a spiro compound isolated from the fruits of Idesia polycarpa Maxim, showed a significant suppression of the adipogenic differentiation in mesenchymal cells, as indicated by the decrease in fat droplets and expression of adipogenic marker genes such as aP2 and adiponectin. Idesolide inhibits the PPARγ-mediated gene transcription in a dose-dependent manner, revealed by luciferase reporter gene assay. During adipogenic differentiation, idesolide inhibits nitric oxide production through the suppression of iNOS expression, and the increased adipogenic differentiation by arginine, the substrate for NOS, is significantly inhibited by idesolide, suggesting that the inhibition of nitric oxide production plays a major role in idesolide-induced adipogenic suppression. Taken together, the results reveal that idesolide has anti-adipogenic activity and highlight its potential in the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Phorbaketal A stimulates osteoblast differentiation through TAZ mediated Runx2 activation.

Osteoporosis arises from an imbalance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. In this study, we screened molecules from marine natural products that stimulate osteoblast differentiation. We found that phorbaketal A significantly stimulates osteoblast differentiation in mesenchymal cells. Increased interaction of TAZ and Runx2 stimulated phorbaketal A-induced expression of osteoblastic marker genes. The activation of ERK was important for the stimulation of differentiation because an inhibitor of ERK blocked phorbaketal A-induced osteogenic differentiation. Taken together, the results showed that phorbaketal A stimulates TAZ-mediated osteoblast differentiation through the activation of ERK.

TAZ is required for the osteogenic and anti-adipogenic activities of kaempferol.

Kaempferol (KMP) exerts protective effects against both osteoporosis and obesity by regulating cellular activities, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif) modulates both osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells by stimulating the activities of RUNX2 (runt-related transcription factor 2) and suppressing the activities of PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ). In this study, we investigated the effects of KMP on TAZ regulated osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. KMP increased the osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal cells by facilitating the physical interaction between TAZ and RUNX2, thus the increasing transcriptional activities of RUNX2. KMP also enhanced the association of TAZ with PPARγ, thereby suppressing the gene transcription of PPARγ targets and resulting in diminished adipocyte differentiation. Interestingly, the regulatory effects of kaempferol on RUNX2 and PPARγ-mediated transcriptional activity were impaired in TAZ-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts but recovered by restoration of TAZ expression. Our results demonstrate that KMP fortifies TAZ activity, which enhances RUNX2-mediated osteoblast differentiation and suppresses PPARγ-stimulated adipocyte differentiation, indicating the potential of KMP as an effective therapeutic reagent for controlling bone loss and adiposity through TAZ activation.