TEAD4/YAP (Hippo Pathway)
| Product Family | Product Number | Product Description | Technical Manual |
| IB1600 TEAD4/YAP (Hippo) |
IB16001-32 | Human TEAD4/YAP Assay System, 3 x 32 assays in 96-well format | Technical Manual |
| IB16001 | Human TEAD4/YAP Assay System, 1 x 96-well format assays | Technical Manual | |
| IB16002 | Human TEAD4/YAP Assay System, 1 x 384-well format assays |
Human TEAD4/YAP Assay Kit
This TEAD4/YAP assay kit is an all-inclusive firefly luciferase reporter assay system that includes in addition to TEAD4/YAP Reporter Cells, two optimized media for use in recovering the cryopreserved cells and for diluting test samples, the reference inhibitor of TEAD Flufenamic acid, Luciferase Detection Reagents, and a cell culture-ready assay plate.
Reporter Cells are transiently transfected and prepared as frozen stocks using INDIGO's proprietary CryoMite™ process. This cryo-preservation method allows for the immediate dispensing of healthy, division-competent reporter cells into assay plates. There is no need for cumbersome intermediate treatment steps such as spin-and-rinse of cells, viability determinations, or cell titer adjustments prior to assay setup.
INDIGO’s Hippo reporter assay kits feature a luciferase detection reagent specially formulated to provide stable light emission between 5 and 90+ minutes after initiating the luciferase reaction. Incorporating a 5-minute reaction-rest period ensures that light emission profiles attain maximal stability, thereby allowing assay plates to be processed in batch. By doing so, the signal output from all sample wells, from one plate to the next, may be directly compared within an experimental set.
Kits are offered in different assay formats to accommodate researchers’ needs: 3x 32, 1x 96, and 1x 384 assay formats for screening small numbers of test compounds, as well as custom bulk reagents for HTS applications.
Bulk assay reagents can be custom manufactured to accommodate any scale of HTS. Please inquire.
Human TEAD4/YAP Assay Services
The primary application of INDIGO's cell-based TEAD4/YAP assays are to quantitatively assess the bioactivity of a test compound as an inhibitor of the receptor. Service assays include an inhibitor reference compound and 'vehicle' control for every experiment. A formal study report and all data files are provided to the client upon completion of the study. To receive a quote for your proposed study, complete & submit the online "Request a Quote" form or contact an INDIGO Customer Service Representative to discuss your desired study parameters.
Human TEAD4/YAP Assay Background
The Hippo tumor suppressor pathway coordinates cellular signals that modulate cell proliferation, tissue homeostasis, and organ size. This signaling primarily regulates the ability of YAP, or its paralog TAZ, to bind and co-activate the TEAD family of transcription factors (TEAD1-4).
YAP confers traits that sustain cell proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, promote angiogenesis, and develop resistance to therapies. The TEAD/YAP complex is therefore considered an oncogene regulator, as the dysregulation of YAP is strongly associated with the onset and progression of several cancers, such as prostate and pancreatic cancer. As such, the Hippo pathway is a premier target for the development of novel, specific, small molecule inhibitors.
The evolutionarily conserved Hippo pathway comprises a complex activation cascade of protein kinases. Activated MST1/2 forms a complex with SAV1 to phosphorylate and activate LATS1/2 kinases. Activated LATS in complex with MOB1 phosphorylate YAP and/or TAZ, leading to cytoplasmic retention via association with 14-3-3d. Alternatively, phosphorylated YAP may be ubiquinated and targeted for proteasomal degradation. Under these conditions the expression of genes associated with pro-proliferative cell function is reduced. The inhibition, or dysregulation, of this kinase cascade leads to reduced phosphorylation of YAP, their translocation to the nucleus, and association with TEAD transcription factors. The assembly of an active TEAD/YAP (or TEAD/TAZ) transcription complex induces expression of oncogenic target genes involved in mediating cell proliferation, migration, and survival.
INDIGO's Hippo pathway assay system utilizes proprietary human cells engineered to provide high-level expression of a hybrid form of the Human Transcriptional Enhanced Associate Domain 4 Protein (TEAD4), whereby the DNA binding domain (DBD) of the native TEAD4 has been substituted with that of the yeast Gal4-DBD. Additionally, these reporter cells express the requisite transcriptional co-activator Human Yes-Associated Protein 1 (YAP) as well as the luciferase reporter gene functionally linked to tandem Gal4 Upstream Activation Sequence (UAS) genetic response elements. The use of a hybrid Gal4(DBD)-TEAD4 is a well-used strategy, and ensures that any treatment-induced changes in reporter gene activity are the direct result of changes in Gal4(DBD)-TEAD4 / YAP transcriptional activity.
To reiterate, the reporter cells provided in INDIGO's assay present the "Hippo Off," or oncogenic pathway. Specifically, the Gal4(DBD)-TEAD4 transcription factor and the YAP co-activator are over-expressed to produce a constitutively active transcription complex that delivers high-level expression of the luciferase reporter gene. The primary application of this assay system is to screen test materials for inhibitory activities against the TEAD4 / YAP transcription complex.