Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of the Hippo Signaling Pathway in Cancer

Yumeng Wang, Xiaoyan Xu, Dejan Maglic, Michael T. Dill, Kamalika Mojumdar, Kwok Shing Ng, Kang Jin Jeong, Yiu Huen Tsang, Daniela Moreno, Venkata Hemanjani Bhavana, Xinxin Peng, Zhongqi Ge, Hu Chen, Jun Li, Zhongyuan Chen, Huiwen Zhang, Leng Han, Di Du, Chad J. Creighton, Gordon B. MillsThe Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network, Camargo Fernando, Han Liang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Hippo signaling has been recognized as a key tumor suppressor pathway. Here, we perform a comprehensive molecular characterization of 19 Hippo core genes in 9,125 tumor samples across 33 cancer types using multidimensional “omic” data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We identify somatic drivers among Hippo genes and the related microRNA (miRNA) regulators, and using functional genomic approaches, we experimentally characterize YAP and TAZ mutation effects and miR-590 and miR-200a regulation for TAZ. Hippo pathway activity is best characterized by a YAP/TAZ transcriptional target signature of 22 genes, which shows robust prognostic power across cancer types. Our elastic-net integrated modeling further reveals cancer-type-specific pathway regulators and associated cancer drivers. Our results highlight the importance of Hippo signaling in squamous cell cancers, characterized by frequent amplification of YAP/TAZ, high expression heterogeneity, and significant prognostic patterns. This study represents a systems-biology approach to characterizing key cancer signaling pathways in the post-genomic era. Wang et al. perform a comprehensive analysis of 19 Hippo core genes across 33 cancer types using multidimensional “omic” data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. They characterize Hippo pathway activity by a YAP/TAZ transcriptional target signature of 22 genes and highlight the importance of Hippo signaling in squamous cell cancers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1304-1317.e5
Number of pages20
JournalCell Reports
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Oct 2018
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • driver mutation
  • miRNA regulation
  • pan-cancer analysis
  • pathway activity
  • prognostic power
  • TAZ
  • TCGA
  • tumor subtype
  • YAP

Cite this