Direct interaction of the oncogenes YAP and TAZ with the transcription factor HNF1B in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain containing transcription regulator 1 (WWTR1, TAZ) are transcriptional co-activators and main effectors of the Hippo pathway. Nuclear YAP or TAZ contribute to liver tumor formation and progression via induction of proliferation, cellular stemness and chromosomal instability. However, how YAP and TAZ support tumorigenesis at the molecular level is not fully understood. Here, we investigate the YAP-/TAZ-specific interactome in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with focus on transcriptional regulators.