Open AccessYap/Taz transcriptional activity is essential for vascular regression via Ctgf expression and actin polymerization
Author(s) -
Ayumi Nagasawa-Masuda,
Kenta Terai
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0174633
Subject(s) - ctgf , microbiology and biotechnology , vascular endothelial growth factor , regression , actin , biology , chemistry , growth factor , cancer research , vegf receptors , biochemistry , receptor , psychology , psychoanalysis
Vascular regression is essential to remove redundant vessels during the formation of an efficient vascular network that can transport oxygen and nutrient to every corner of the body. However, no mechanism is known to explain how major blood vessels regress during development. Here we use the dorsal part of the caudal vein plexus (dCVP) in Zebrafish to investigate the mechanism of regression and discover a new role of Yap/Taz in vascular regression. During regression, Yap/Taz is activated by blood circulation in the endothelial cells. This leads to induction of Ctgf and actin polymerization. Interference with Yap/Taz activation decreased Ctgf production, which decreased actin polymerization and vascular regression. These results implicate a novel role of Yap/Taz in vascular regression.