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YAP/TAZ Promote GLUT1 Expression and Are Associated with Prognosis in Endometrial Cancer
by
, ,
Masayuki Fujita
1, 
Makoto Orisaka
1,
Tetsuya Mizutani
2,
Yuko Fujita
1,
Toshimichi Onuma
1,
Hideaki Tsuyoshi
1 and
Yoshio Yoshida
1,* 1
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
2
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Welfare Sciences, Fukui Prefectural University, Fukui 910-1195, Japan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Cancers 2025, 17(15), 2554; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17152554 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 1 July 2025
/
Revised: 28 July 2025
/
Accepted: 31 July 2025
/
Published: 1 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Research of Cancer)
Simple Summary
The Hippo pathway is a key cancer-related signaling cascade that regulates cell proliferation. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) act as downstream effectors within this pathway. Glucose transporter (GLUT) proteins also contribute to cellular proliferation. This study investigated the link between YAP/TAZ and GLUT1 in endometrial carcinoma. In cancer cell lines, YAP/TAZ were identified as key regulators of GLUT1 expression. An analysis of 100 patient tissue samples revealed a significant correlation between TAZ and GLUT1 expression. Moreover, nuclear TAZ expression was associated with poor progression-free survival (p < 0.05). The study concludes that YAP/TAZ promote tumor growth via GLUT1, suggesting that targeting these proteins could be a promising therapeutic strategy for future treatments.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) function as effectors in the Hippo pathway and have attracted attention due to their association with tumor formation. Glucose transporter (GLUT) proteins also contribute to the proliferation of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of YAP/TAZ on GLUT1 expression in endometrial carcinoma, as well as the clinical relevance and prognostic value of YAP/TAZ. Methods: The effects of YAP and TAZ knockdown and YAP overexpression on GLUT1 expression in human endometrial carcinoma-derived HHUA and Ishikawa cells were evaluated using RT-qPCR. In addition, we performed immunohistochemical expression of 100 tissue samples of diagnosed endometrial carcinoma. Based on staining intensity and the percentage of positively stained tumor cells, the immunoreactivity score was calculated, which ranged from 0 to 12. Results: YAP/TAZ were identified as important factors in the regulation of GLUT1 expression in HHUA and Ishikawa cells. In addition, a significant correlation (progression-free survival p < 0.05) was observed between TAZ and GLUT1 expression in tissues from endometrial carcinoma patients, and nuclear expression of TAZ was associated with poor prognosis (p < 0.05). Conclusions: YAP/TAZ promote tumor growth via GLUT1. Therapeutic targeting of YAP/TAZ could therefore be useful in the development of future treatments.
Keywords:
endometrial cancer; GLUT1; hippo pathway; TAZ; YAP
