Expression levels and activation status of Yap splicing isoforms determine self-renewal and differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells.

Abstract

Yap is the key effector of Hippo signaling; however, its role in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) remains controversial. Here, we identify two Yap splicing isoforms (Yap472 and Yap488), which show equal expression levels but heterogeneous distribution in ESCs. Knockout (KO) of both isoforms reduces ESC self-renewal, accelerates pluripotency exit, but arrests terminal differentiation, while overexpression of each isoform leads to the reverse phenotype. The effect of both Yap isoforms on self-renewal is Teads-dependent and mediated by c-Myc. Nonetheless, different isoforms are found to affect overlapping yet distinct genes, and confer different developmental potential to Yap-KO cells, with Yap472 exerting a more pronounced biological effect and being more essential for neuroectoderm differentiation. Constitutive activation of Yaps, particularly Yap472, dramatically upregulates p53 and Cdx2, inducing trophectoderm trans-differentiation even under self-renewal conditions. These findings reveal the combined roles of different Yap splicing isoforms and mechanisms in regulating self-renewal efficiency and differentiation potential of ESCs.