Purpose: TAZ (transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif) was originally identified as a transducer of the Hippo signaling pathway that controls organ size and is now recognized as an important contributor to many types of cancer. TAZ responds to variety of cell signals including G-protein coupled receptors, extracellular mechanical stress, classical kinase cascades and metabolic context. TAZ interacts with TEAD transcription factors and DNA gene expression enhancers to initiate a complex transcriptional program that promotes cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis. TAZ is also potentially involved in a variety of other pathologic states, especially involving fibrosis, such as pulmonary hypertension and emphysema. Eighty years ago Otto Warburg identified a preference among cancer cells to use aerobic glycolysis and this phenomenon is once again a topic of growing interest. Glycolytic flux has recently been identified as important to TAZ activity as well as the pathologic angiogenesis and vessel growth commonly seen in cancers.

The proposed workshop will bring together scientists interested in the diverse responses and cellular effects of YAP/TAZ with the goals of 1) integrating work currently done in separate scientific silos; 2) identifying novel paths to regulating expression and effects of TAZ and 3) identifying potential biomarkers of YAP/TAZ activity. We hope that collaborations stimulated by this workshop will lead to new potential treatments for YAP/TAZ-driven cancers.

2018 Eaton Foundation Fellows: Zachary Crook and Zhipeng Meng