Abstract
Objective: We aimed to investigate the roles and underlying mechanisms of YAP in the proliferation of neuroblastoma cells. Methods: The expression level of YAP was evaluated by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Cell viability, cell proliferation and growth were detected by CCK-8, PH3 and Ki67 immunostaining, and the real-time cell analyser system. The nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins of p27Kip1 were dissociated by the nuclear-cytosol extraction kit and were detected by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. mRNA levels of Akt, CDK5 and CRM1 were determined by qRT-PCR. Results: YAP was enriched in SH-SY5Y cells (a human neuroblastoma cell line). Knock-down of YAP in SH-SY5Y cells or SK-N-SH cell line (another human neuroblastoma cell line) significantly decreased cell viability, inhibited cell proliferation and growth. Mechanistically, knock-down of YAP increased the nuclear location of p27Kip1 , whereas serum-induced YAP activation decreased the nuclear location of p27Kip1 and was required for cell proliferation. Meanwhile, overexpression of YAP in these serum-starved SH-SY5Y cells decreased the nuclear location of p27Kip1 , promoted cell proliferation and overexpression of p27Kip1 in YAP-activated cells inhibited cell proliferation. Furthermore, knock-down of YAP reduced Akt mRNA and protein levels. Overexpression of Akt in YAP-downregulated cells decreased the nuclear location of p27Kip1 and accelerated the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells. Conclusions: Our studies suggest that YAP promotes the proliferation of neuroblastoma cells through negatively controlling the nuclear location of p27Kip1 mediated by Akt.