TAZ/Wnt-β-catenin/c-MYC axis regulates cystogenesis in polycystic kidney disease

Significance Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic renal disease, primarily caused by germline mutation of PKD1 or PKD2 , leading to end-stage renal disease. There are few cures for ADPKD, although many researchers are trying to find a cure. The Hippo signaling pathway regulates organ growth and cell proliferation. Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is a Hippo signaling effector. In this study, we demonstrated that the PKD1–TAZ–Wnt–β-catenin–c-MYC signaling axis plays a critical role in cystogenesis. Endo IWR1 treatment, which inhibited β-catenin activity via AXIN stabilization, reduced cyst growth in an ADPKD model. Our findings provide a potential therapeutic target against ADPKD and would be important for clinical translation.