A highly sensitive reporter system to monitor endogenous YAP1/TAZ activity and its application in various human cells.

The activation of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) has been implicated in both regeneration and tumorigenesis, thus representing a double-edged sword in tissue homeostasis. However, how the activity of YAP1/TAZ is regulated or what leads to its dysregulation in these processes remains unknown. To explore the upstream stimuli modulating the cellular activity of YAP1/TAZ, we developed a highly sensitive YAP1/TAZ/TEAD-responsive DNA element (YRE) and incorporated it into a lentivirus-based reporter cell system to allow for sensitive and specific monitoring of the endogenous activity of YAP1/TAZ in terms of luciferase activity in vitro and Venus fluorescence in vivo.

N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-6-methyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazol-1-amine inhibits bladder cancer progression by suppressing YAP1/TAZ.

Bladder cancer (BlC) is the fourth most common cancer in males worldwide, but few systemic chemotherapy options for its effective treatment exist. The development of new molecularly-targeted agents against BlC is therefore an urgent issue. The Hippo signaling pathway, with its upstream LATS kinases and downstream transcriptional co-activators YAP1 and TAZ, plays a pivotal role in diverse cell functions, including cell proliferation.

Bipedicled SIEA Flap with Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery and Vein Grafts for Breast Reconstruction.

A superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap can be an alternative to a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAP) flap in cases where SIEAs are relatively well developed. Although an SIEA flap is less invasive than a DIEAP flap, the pedicles of the former are anatomically shorter, making it more difficult to choose recipient vessels when bilateral SIEAs are necessary. A 45-year-old female diagnosed with cancer of the left breast underwent mastectomy (specimen weight: 750 g) and immediate two-stage breast reconstruction using a free abdominal flap with bilateral pedicles was planned.

Evaluation of skin sensitization based on interleukin-2 promoter activation in Jurkat cells.

Skin sensitization is an allergic reaction caused by certain chemical substances, and is an important factor to be taken into consideration when evaluating the safety of numerous types of products. Although animal testing has long been used to evaluate skin sensitization, the recent trend to regulate such testing has led to the development and use of alternative methods. Skin sensitization reactions are summarized in the form of an adverse outcome pathway consisting of four key events (KE), including covalent binding to skin proteins (KE1), keratinocyte activation (KE2), and dendritic cell activation (KE3).