2017 December ; 18(12): 758–770 | Tito Panciera, Luca Azzolin, Michelangelo Cordenonsi, Stefano Piccolo
The article reviews the role of YAP and TAZ as mechanotransducers in physiology and disease. Mechanical signals from the microenvironment, such as blood flow, muscle contraction, and tissue rigidity, play crucial roles in regulating cell behavior. YAP and TAZ, transcriptional co-regulators, are key players in translating these mechanical cues into specific cellular responses. They are involved in stem cell behavior, regeneration, and the onset of various diseases, including atherosclerosis, fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, inflammation, muscular dystrophy, and cancer. The review highlights how YAP and TAZ are regulated by mechanical forces, such as cell shape, extracellular matrix rigidity, and shear stress, and their impact on gene expression. It also discusses the importance of the actin cytoskeleton and the role of mechanosensory proteins in mediating these signals. The authors explore the implications of YAP and TAZ in embryonic development, tissue repair, and disease progression, emphasizing the potential therapeutic opportunities in targeting these factors.The article reviews the role of YAP and TAZ as mechanotransducers in physiology and disease. Mechanical signals from the microenvironment, such as blood flow, muscle contraction, and tissue rigidity, play crucial roles in regulating cell behavior. YAP and TAZ, transcriptional co-regulators, are key players in translating these mechanical cues into specific cellular responses. They are involved in stem cell behavior, regeneration, and the onset of various diseases, including atherosclerosis, fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, inflammation, muscular dystrophy, and cancer. The review highlights how YAP and TAZ are regulated by mechanical forces, such as cell shape, extracellular matrix rigidity, and shear stress, and their impact on gene expression. It also discusses the importance of the actin cytoskeleton and the role of mechanosensory proteins in mediating these signals. The authors explore the implications of YAP and TAZ in embryonic development, tissue repair, and disease progression, emphasizing the potential therapeutic opportunities in targeting these factors.