Journal: Gene

Article Title: Role for IL-10 in the transcriptional regulation of Roquin-1

doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.07.056

Figure Lengend Snippet: Transcriptional regulation of Rc3h1. (A) A web-based search for transcriptional factors that bind to the Rc3h1 promoter identified binding sites for STATs, GATA, IKZF and c-Rel. Luciferase reporter assays were used to evaluate the activational effects of eight transcription factors on the Rc3h1 promoter regions. Using a (B) -2.1 kb Rc3h1 promoter region, STAT1, STAT3, GATA2, and c-Rel resulted in a significant increase in luciferase activity; IKZF2 resulted in a significant decrease. STAT1, STAT3, GATA2, and c-Rel also resulted in increased luciferase activity using the (C) -1.3 kb and (D) -0.2 kb Rc3h1 promoter regions. Values are fold induction of luciferase activity of transcription factor-transfected cells relative to non-transcription factor transfected cells. Data are mean values ± SEM of 3-4 independent experiments.

Article Snippet: The next day, cells were transfected using Fugene HD (Promega, Madison, WI) with 200 ng of a Rc3h1 promoter luciferase reporter plasmid cloned into the pGLuc-Basic plasmid (New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA) by our laboratory, along with 100 ng of a plasmid encoding for either constitutively-active STAT1 (eGFP STAT1 S727E, Addgene, Cambridge, MA), constitutively-active STAT3 (Stat3-C Flag pRc/CMV, Addgene), constitutively-active STAT5 (CA-STAT5-GFP-RV ( Yang et al., 2011 ), a gift of Dr. Jinfan Zhu), c-Rel (c-Rel cFlag pcDNA3, Addgene), GATA2 (pFlag-GATA2, Addgene), IKZF1, IKZF2, and IKZF3 transcription factors (cloned into the pEF6/V5-His plasmid in our laboratory), and 100 ng of a β-galactosidase plasmid (pSV-β-galactosidase).

Techniques: Binding Assay, Luciferase, Activity Assay, Transfection

Journal: Gene

Article Title: Role for IL-10 in the transcriptional regulation of Roquin-1

doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.07.056

Figure Lengend Snippet: ChIP assays showing GATA2 interactions with: (A) -2.2 kb, (B) -1.8 kb, (C) -1.0 kb, and (D) -0.4 kb RC3H1 promoter regions. Data in each panel represent one ChIP experiment; the average values of all four data entries for the GATA2 ChIP assays (anti-GATA2 antibody) was significantly greater (p<0.001) than that of ChIP assay results done with None (mock) transfections, or STAT1 transcription factor transfections. (E, F) ChIP assays showing the effect of IL-10 on transcription factor interactions with the Rc3h1 promoter.

Article Snippet: The next day, cells were transfected using Fugene HD (Promega, Madison, WI) with 200 ng of a Rc3h1 promoter luciferase reporter plasmid cloned into the pGLuc-Basic plasmid (New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA) by our laboratory, along with 100 ng of a plasmid encoding for either constitutively-active STAT1 (eGFP STAT1 S727E, Addgene, Cambridge, MA), constitutively-active STAT3 (Stat3-C Flag pRc/CMV, Addgene), constitutively-active STAT5 (CA-STAT5-GFP-RV ( Yang et al., 2011 ), a gift of Dr. Jinfan Zhu), c-Rel (c-Rel cFlag pcDNA3, Addgene), GATA2 (pFlag-GATA2, Addgene), IKZF1, IKZF2, and IKZF3 transcription factors (cloned into the pEF6/V5-His plasmid in our laboratory), and 100 ng of a β-galactosidase plasmid (pSV-β-galactosidase).

Techniques: Transfection

Journal: Gene

Article Title: Role for IL-10 in the transcriptional regulation of Roquin-1

doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.07.056

Figure Lengend Snippet: IL-10 increased Rc3h1 transcription factor expression. (A) EL4 cells were cultured in the presence of mouse rIL-10, or rTGFβ as a control cytokine. Gene expression was measured at 0, 24, and 48 hr. Compared to the rTGFβ control cytokine, exposure of cells to IL-10 resulted in a significant increase in gene expression of STAT1, STAT3, GATA2, and c-Rel, as well as a non-statistical increase in IKZF2 48 hr post-IL-10 treatment. Data are mean values ± SEM of 3 experiments. (B) EL4 cells were transfected with siRNAs to either STAT1, STAT3, GATA2, c-Rel, IKZF2, a scramble control siRNA, or no siRNA for 4 hr followed by exposure to rIL-10 as described in the Materials and Methods. Cells were harvested and Rc3h1 expression was measured by qRT-PCR. All transcription factor-specific siRNAs decreased Rc3h1 expression relative to the control siRNA-transfected cells. For STAT1 and STAT3, this occurred in a statistically-significant manner. (C) Efficiency of knockdown of transcription factor expression. Data are mean values ± SEM of 3 experiments. ** p<0.01, * p<0.05, ◆ p<0.1 and >0.05. (D) A model whereby IL-10 exerts an effect on the transcriptional regulation of Rc3h1.

Article Snippet: The next day, cells were transfected using Fugene HD (Promega, Madison, WI) with 200 ng of a Rc3h1 promoter luciferase reporter plasmid cloned into the pGLuc-Basic plasmid (New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA) by our laboratory, along with 100 ng of a plasmid encoding for either constitutively-active STAT1 (eGFP STAT1 S727E, Addgene, Cambridge, MA), constitutively-active STAT3 (Stat3-C Flag pRc/CMV, Addgene), constitutively-active STAT5 (CA-STAT5-GFP-RV ( Yang et al., 2011 ), a gift of Dr. Jinfan Zhu), c-Rel (c-Rel cFlag pcDNA3, Addgene), GATA2 (pFlag-GATA2, Addgene), IKZF1, IKZF2, and IKZF3 transcription factors (cloned into the pEF6/V5-His plasmid in our laboratory), and 100 ng of a β-galactosidase plasmid (pSV-β-galactosidase).

Techniques: Expressing, Cell Culture, Control, Gene Expression, Transfection, Quantitative RT-PCR, Knockdown

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Evaluation of colony formation efficacy of HCT116 and HK2-8 cells after treatments with either scramble siRNAs or STAT1 siRNAs. The graphs represent data obtained from 3 biological replicates, each of which included 3 technical replicates, and represent ±SEM ( * ) P < 0.05 ( ** ) P < 0.01; ( t -test), NS, non-significant. b Immunoblotting of indicated protein from extracts of siRNA-treated cells. Quantifications show the relative intensity of STAT1 normalized to ACTIN from 3 biological replicates and represent ±SEM * P < 0.05 ( t -test). c Volcano Diagram illustrates the number of genes differentially expressed in STAT1-replete (WT; control) compared to STAT1 -/- HCT116 cells. Essential genes of sterol and lipid biosynthetic pathways are indicated. Dashed horizontal and vertical lines indicate significance thresholds (|FC | > 0.5, P < 0.05). Genes are colored in gray (non-significant), blue ( P -value significant), and red (both P -values and fold change are significant). A positive fold change means that the gene is upregulated by STAT1. All labeled genes exhibit statistically significant upregulation (logFC > 0.5, P < 0.0005), consistent with their role in cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. d Bar plot of biological processes (BP) from gene ontology (ON) significantly enriched in STAT1-dependent genes in HCT116 cells. e KEGG pathways under the control of STAT1 in HCT116 cells.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Western Blot, Control, Labeling

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Detection of SREBF mRNAs in colon cancer cells with intact or impaired STAT1. SREBF 1 and 2 mRNA levels were normalized to ACTIN and TUBULIN mRNAs used as internal controls. Data obtained from 3 biological replicates each of which contained 3 technical replicates and represent ±SEM ** P < 0.01: *** P < 0.001 ( t -test), NS, non-significant. b Immunoblotting for SREBP1 and 2 in colon cancer cells with intact or downregulated STAT1. Quantifications show the relative intensity of proteins normalized to TUBULIN. FL, full length; M, mature form. c Schematic representation of the mevalonate pathway. Genes in red are SREBP-dependent genes. d ChIP-seq data from ENCODE (UCSC data base) indicating the binding of SREBP1 and 2 to transcriptional regulatory regions of mevalonate pathway genes. Graphs show the expression of ACAT1 , HMGCR and IDI1 mRNAs by qPCR in cells treated with scrambled or STAT1 siRNAs. Gene expressions were normalized to ACTIN and TUBULIN mRNAs used as internal controls. Data were obtained from 3 independent experiments performed in triplicates and represent ±SEM *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 ( t -test). e Immunoblotting of HCT116 protein extracts replete (control) or deplete ( −/− ) for STAT1 by CRISPR (cell line #1 and #2). Detection of STAT1 and rate-limiting enzymes of sterol and lipid biosynthetic pathway HMGCR and FAS, respectively.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Western Blot, ChIP-sequencing, Binding Assay, Expressing, Control, CRISPR

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a ChIP-seq data from ENCODE (UCSC database) indicating STAT1 binding to the regulatory regions of SREBF1 and 2 genes. b ChIP assays of endogenous STAT1 bound to SREBF gene segments containing STAT1 binding sites in HCT116 and HK2-8 cells. IgG, non-specific control antibody. c Expression of GFP (control) and GFP-tagged STAT1 proteins that are either intact (wild type, WT), impaired for phosphorylation (Y701F or S727A) or S727 phosphomimetic (S727E) in HCT116 STAT1 −/− cells. GFP+ cells were sorted by flow cytometry, and extracts were immunoblotted for GFP or ACTIN. d Detection of SREBF-1 and 2 mRNAs by qPCR in HCT116 STAT1 −/− cells expressing either GFP or GFP-STAT1 forms. e ChIP assays of GFP-STAT1 for binding to STAT1 sites of SREBF genes in reconstituted HCT116 STAT1 −/− cells using GFP antibody. b–e Data obtained from 3 biological replicates and represent ±SEM *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 ( t -test).

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: ChIP-sequencing, Binding Assay, Control, Expressing, Phospho-proteomics, Flow Cytometry

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a HCT116 and HK2-8 cells replete or deplete of STAT1 were serum-starved for 18 h (untreated; UT) and stimulated with either 10% fetal bovine serum or 25 μM LPA for 1 h. Cells were subjected to IF analyses of YAP1 (red) along with DAPI staining of DNA (blue). Graphs show the quantification of YAP1 nuclear localization in 300 cells. Scale bar: 25 μm. b , c Cells were subjected to cytoplasmic (C), and nuclear (N) fractionation followed by immunoblotting for the indicated proteins. TUBULIN or THO complex 1 (THOC1) was used as cytoplasmic or nuclear marker, respectively. Quantification in panel b is based on three biological replicates, while panel c is based on two biological replicates. d , e HCT116 STAT1 +/+ and STAT1 −/− cells were transfected with either pGL3-luciferase reporter plasmid (control) or 8xGTIIC plasmid containing the firefly luciferase reporter gene under the control of 8x TEAD binding sites in CTGF minimal promoter. Transfected cells were serum-starved for 18 h followed by stimulation with either 10% fetal bovine serum or 25 μM LPA for 6 h. A plasmid expressing the renilla luciferase gene was used as internal control. f , g HCT116 cells were serum starved for 18 h followed by stimulation of 10% fetal bovine serum in the absence or presence of 2.5 mM cerivastatin (panel f, g) or 10 μM ROCK kinase inhibitor Y-27632 (panel f) for 18 h. Protein extracts were subjected to immunoblotting for the indicated proteins. a , b , d , e Graphs show the quantifications from 3 biological replicates and represent ±SEM *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 ( t -test), NS, non-significant. In c , data represent the quantification of 2 biological replicates.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Staining, Fractionation, Western Blot, Marker, Transfection, Luciferase, Plasmid Preparation, Control, Binding Assay, Expressing

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Volcano diagram showing the number of differentially expressed genes in YAP1-replete (WT; control) compared to YAP1 −/− HCT116 cells. Dashed horizontal and vertical lines indicate significance thresholds (|FC | > 0.5, P < 0.05). A positive fold change means that the gene is upregulated by YAP1. Genes are colored in gray (non-significant), blue ( P -value significant), and red (both P -values and fold change are significant). All labeled genes exhibit statistically significant upregulation (logFC > 0.5, P < 0.0005), consistent with their role in cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. b Top KEGG pathways under the control of YAP1 in HCT116 cells. c Graphs assess the expression of SREBF1 and 2 mRNAs by qPCR in cells treated with scrambled or YAP1 siRNAs. Gene expressions were normalized to ACTIN and TUBULIN mRNAs used as internal controls. Data were obtained from 3 independent experiments performed in triplicates and represent ±SEM *P < 0.05, * *P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 ( t -test). d ChIP-seq data from ENCODE indicating the binding of TEAD4 to transcriptional regulatory regions of SREBF genes. e ChIP assays of YAP1 for binding in complex with TEAD4 to SREBF genes in HCT116 cells, both in the presence and absence of STAT1 and/or YAP1. IgG, non-specific control antibody. f Immunoblotting of SREBP1 and 2 in isogenic pair colon cancer cells prior to and after YAP1 downregulation by siRNAs. FL, full length. g Immunoblotting of SREBP1, 2 and TEAD4 in isogenic pairs of colon cancer cells treated with scrambled or TEAD4 siRNAs. h Immunoblotting of SREBP1 and 2 proteins in HCT116 cells treated with TEAD inhibitor 15 μM VT104 for the indicated time points. f , g , h Quantification of proteins normalized to TUBULIN for each blot is indicated.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Control, Labeling, Expressing, ChIP-sequencing, Binding Assay, Western Blot

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: Venn diagram ( a ) and Volcano diagram ( b ) of genes that are commonly upregulated by STAT1 and YAP1 in HCT116 cells. Essential genes of sterol and lipid biosynthetic pathways are indicated in the Volcano diagram. b Dashed horizontal and vertical lines indicate significance thresholds (|FC | > 0.5, P < 0.05). A positive fold change means that the gene is upregulated by STAT1 and YAP1. Genes are colored in gray (non-significant), blue ( P -value significant), and Red (both P -values and fold change are significant). All labeled genes exhibit statistically significant upregulation (logFC > 0.5, P < 0.0005), consistent with their role in cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. c Bar plot of biological processes (BP) from gene ontology (GO) significantly enriched in the common set of genes under the control of both YAP1 and STAT1 identified by gene expression profile analysis. d KEGG pathways under the control of STAT1 and YAP1 in HCT116 cells. e This schematic illustrates the cooperative role of STAT1 and YAP1 in promoting SREBP expression and activating the mevalonate pathway in mutant KRAS CRCs. The STAT1–YAP1 axis functions as a feedforward autoregulatory loop that sustains sterol biosynthesis. STAT1, phosphorylated at S727, directly induces the transcription of SREBF1 and SREBF2 genes. Elevated SREBP levels, in turn, enhance mevalonate pathway activity, leading to the prenylation, plasma membrane anchoring and activation of RHO GTPases. This activation promotes further phosphorylation of STAT1 at S727 and stimulates YAP1 nuclear localization and activation. Although YAP1 acts downstream of STAT1, it also reinforces the loop by cooperating with TEAD4 to transcriptionally upregulate SREBF genes. Created in BioRender. Koromilas, A. (2025) https://BioRender.com/nz5wlhr .

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Labeling, Control, Gene Expression, Expressing, Mutagenesis, Activity Assay, Clinical Proteomics, Membrane, Activation Assay, Phospho-proteomics

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a , b HCT116 cells with intact or depleted STAT1 and/or YAP1 expression were subcutaneously transplanted into female nu/nu mice (n = 10 per group). Tumor volume (mm³) was measured over the indicated time course. At the end of the study, tumor tissues from 3 mice were analyzed by IHC to assess H&E staining and the subcellular localization of YAP1 ( b ). c , d Similarly, HCT116 cells with combined YAP1 and STAT1 deletion or expression were transplanted into nu/nu mice (n = 5 per group). When tumors reached ~200 mm 3 , mice were treated by oral gavage with either vehicle or cerivastatin (CERI). Tumor growth was monitored over time. Red and blue arrows indicate the start point of treatment of YAP1 +/+ STAT1 +/+ and YAP1 −/− STAT1 −/− tumors, respectively. At the endpoint, tumors from 3 mice were subjected to IHC for H&E and YAP1 detection ( d ). a–d Data represent mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was determined by t -test: * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001. Scale bar in panels b and d: 50 μm and 25 μm (insert image). Quantification graphs panels b and d show Histo (H)-scores for nuclear and cytoplasmic YAP1 staining. e HCT116 xenografts were established in nu/nu mice (n = 5 per group). Upon tumor growth to ~200 mm 3 (red arrow), mice received either vehicle, cerivastatin (oral), afatinib (intraperitoneal), or the combination of both. Tumor volume was tracked for the indicated duration. Data represent mean ± SEM. *** P < 0.001 (t-test). f In a similar setup, mice bearing HCT116 xenografts (~200 mm 3 tumors) were treated with vehicle, cerivastatin (oral), VT104 (oral), or their combination. Tumor growth was monitored throughout the experiment. Data represent mean ± SEM. ** P < 0.01 (t-test). g This schematic model illustrates how the STAT1–YAP1 signaling axis enhances the mevalonate pathway, thereby supporting tumor growth and chemoresistance in mutant KRAS CRC. Inhibiting YAP1-TEAD4 activity (e.g., using VT104) disrupts the SREBP-driven feedback loop that sustains mevalonate pathway activation. Additionally, pharmacological blockade of the mevalonate pathway with statins increases tumor sensitivity to YAP1–TEAD4 inhibition in xenograft models of mutant KRAS CRC.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Expressing, Staining, Mutagenesis, Activity Assay, Activation Assay, Inhibition

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Evaluation of colony formation efficacy of HCT116 and HK2-8 cells after treatments with either scramble siRNAs or STAT1 siRNAs. The graphs represent data obtained from 3 biological replicates, each of which included 3 technical replicates, and represent ±SEM ( * ) P < 0.05 ( ** ) P < 0.01; ( t -test), NS, non-significant. b Immunoblotting of indicated protein from extracts of siRNA-treated cells. Quantifications show the relative intensity of STAT1 normalized to ACTIN from 3 biological replicates and represent ±SEM * P < 0.05 ( t -test). c Volcano Diagram illustrates the number of genes differentially expressed in STAT1-replete (WT; control) compared to STAT1 -/- HCT116 cells. Essential genes of sterol and lipid biosynthetic pathways are indicated. Dashed horizontal and vertical lines indicate significance thresholds (|FC | > 0.5, P < 0.05). Genes are colored in gray (non-significant), blue ( P -value significant), and red (both P -values and fold change are significant). A positive fold change means that the gene is upregulated by STAT1. All labeled genes exhibit statistically significant upregulation (logFC > 0.5, P < 0.0005), consistent with their role in cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. d Bar plot of biological processes (BP) from gene ontology (ON) significantly enriched in STAT1-dependent genes in HCT116 cells. e KEGG pathways under the control of STAT1 in HCT116 cells.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Western Blot, Control, Labeling

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Detection of SREBF mRNAs in colon cancer cells with intact or impaired STAT1. SREBF 1 and 2 mRNA levels were normalized to ACTIN and TUBULIN mRNAs used as internal controls. Data obtained from 3 biological replicates each of which contained 3 technical replicates and represent ±SEM ** P < 0.01: *** P < 0.001 ( t -test), NS, non-significant. b Immunoblotting for SREBP1 and 2 in colon cancer cells with intact or downregulated STAT1. Quantifications show the relative intensity of proteins normalized to TUBULIN. FL, full length; M, mature form. c Schematic representation of the mevalonate pathway. Genes in red are SREBP-dependent genes. d ChIP-seq data from ENCODE (UCSC data base) indicating the binding of SREBP1 and 2 to transcriptional regulatory regions of mevalonate pathway genes. Graphs show the expression of ACAT1 , HMGCR and IDI1 mRNAs by qPCR in cells treated with scrambled or STAT1 siRNAs. Gene expressions were normalized to ACTIN and TUBULIN mRNAs used as internal controls. Data were obtained from 3 independent experiments performed in triplicates and represent ±SEM *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 ( t -test). e Immunoblotting of HCT116 protein extracts replete (control) or deplete ( −/− ) for STAT1 by CRISPR (cell line #1 and #2). Detection of STAT1 and rate-limiting enzymes of sterol and lipid biosynthetic pathway HMGCR and FAS, respectively.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Western Blot, ChIP-sequencing, Binding Assay, Expressing, Control, CRISPR

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a ChIP-seq data from ENCODE (UCSC database) indicating STAT1 binding to the regulatory regions of SREBF1 and 2 genes. b ChIP assays of endogenous STAT1 bound to SREBF gene segments containing STAT1 binding sites in HCT116 and HK2-8 cells. IgG, non-specific control antibody. c Expression of GFP (control) and GFP-tagged STAT1 proteins that are either intact (wild type, WT), impaired for phosphorylation (Y701F or S727A) or S727 phosphomimetic (S727E) in HCT116 STAT1 −/− cells. GFP+ cells were sorted by flow cytometry, and extracts were immunoblotted for GFP or ACTIN. d Detection of SREBF-1 and 2 mRNAs by qPCR in HCT116 STAT1 −/− cells expressing either GFP or GFP-STAT1 forms. e ChIP assays of GFP-STAT1 for binding to STAT1 sites of SREBF genes in reconstituted HCT116 STAT1 −/− cells using GFP antibody. b–e Data obtained from 3 biological replicates and represent ±SEM *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 ( t -test).

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: ChIP-sequencing, Binding Assay, Control, Expressing, Phospho-proteomics, Flow Cytometry

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a HCT116 and HK2-8 cells replete or deplete of STAT1 were serum-starved for 18 h (untreated; UT) and stimulated with either 10% fetal bovine serum or 25 μM LPA for 1 h. Cells were subjected to IF analyses of YAP1 (red) along with DAPI staining of DNA (blue). Graphs show the quantification of YAP1 nuclear localization in 300 cells. Scale bar: 25 μm. b , c Cells were subjected to cytoplasmic (C), and nuclear (N) fractionation followed by immunoblotting for the indicated proteins. TUBULIN or THO complex 1 (THOC1) was used as cytoplasmic or nuclear marker, respectively. Quantification in panel b is based on three biological replicates, while panel c is based on two biological replicates. d , e HCT116 STAT1 +/+ and STAT1 −/− cells were transfected with either pGL3-luciferase reporter plasmid (control) or 8xGTIIC plasmid containing the firefly luciferase reporter gene under the control of 8x TEAD binding sites in CTGF minimal promoter. Transfected cells were serum-starved for 18 h followed by stimulation with either 10% fetal bovine serum or 25 μM LPA for 6 h. A plasmid expressing the renilla luciferase gene was used as internal control. f , g HCT116 cells were serum starved for 18 h followed by stimulation of 10% fetal bovine serum in the absence or presence of 2.5 mM cerivastatin (panel f, g) or 10 μM ROCK kinase inhibitor Y-27632 (panel f) for 18 h. Protein extracts were subjected to immunoblotting for the indicated proteins. a , b , d , e Graphs show the quantifications from 3 biological replicates and represent ±SEM *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 ( t -test), NS, non-significant. In c , data represent the quantification of 2 biological replicates.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Staining, Fractionation, Western Blot, Marker, Transfection, Luciferase, Plasmid Preparation, Control, Binding Assay, Expressing

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Volcano diagram showing the number of differentially expressed genes in YAP1-replete (WT; control) compared to YAP1 −/− HCT116 cells. Dashed horizontal and vertical lines indicate significance thresholds (|FC | > 0.5, P < 0.05). A positive fold change means that the gene is upregulated by YAP1. Genes are colored in gray (non-significant), blue ( P -value significant), and red (both P -values and fold change are significant). All labeled genes exhibit statistically significant upregulation (logFC > 0.5, P < 0.0005), consistent with their role in cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. b Top KEGG pathways under the control of YAP1 in HCT116 cells. c Graphs assess the expression of SREBF1 and 2 mRNAs by qPCR in cells treated with scrambled or YAP1 siRNAs. Gene expressions were normalized to ACTIN and TUBULIN mRNAs used as internal controls. Data were obtained from 3 independent experiments performed in triplicates and represent ±SEM *P < 0.05, * *P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 ( t -test). d ChIP-seq data from ENCODE indicating the binding of TEAD4 to transcriptional regulatory regions of SREBF genes. e ChIP assays of YAP1 for binding in complex with TEAD4 to SREBF genes in HCT116 cells, both in the presence and absence of STAT1 and/or YAP1. IgG, non-specific control antibody. f Immunoblotting of SREBP1 and 2 in isogenic pair colon cancer cells prior to and after YAP1 downregulation by siRNAs. FL, full length. g Immunoblotting of SREBP1, 2 and TEAD4 in isogenic pairs of colon cancer cells treated with scrambled or TEAD4 siRNAs. h Immunoblotting of SREBP1 and 2 proteins in HCT116 cells treated with TEAD inhibitor 15 μM VT104 for the indicated time points. f , g , h Quantification of proteins normalized to TUBULIN for each blot is indicated.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Control, Labeling, Expressing, ChIP-sequencing, Binding Assay, Western Blot

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: Venn diagram ( a ) and Volcano diagram ( b ) of genes that are commonly upregulated by STAT1 and YAP1 in HCT116 cells. Essential genes of sterol and lipid biosynthetic pathways are indicated in the Volcano diagram. b Dashed horizontal and vertical lines indicate significance thresholds (|FC | > 0.5, P < 0.05). A positive fold change means that the gene is upregulated by STAT1 and YAP1. Genes are colored in gray (non-significant), blue ( P -value significant), and Red (both P -values and fold change are significant). All labeled genes exhibit statistically significant upregulation (logFC > 0.5, P < 0.0005), consistent with their role in cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. c Bar plot of biological processes (BP) from gene ontology (GO) significantly enriched in the common set of genes under the control of both YAP1 and STAT1 identified by gene expression profile analysis. d KEGG pathways under the control of STAT1 and YAP1 in HCT116 cells. e This schematic illustrates the cooperative role of STAT1 and YAP1 in promoting SREBP expression and activating the mevalonate pathway in mutant KRAS CRCs. The STAT1–YAP1 axis functions as a feedforward autoregulatory loop that sustains sterol biosynthesis. STAT1, phosphorylated at S727, directly induces the transcription of SREBF1 and SREBF2 genes. Elevated SREBP levels, in turn, enhance mevalonate pathway activity, leading to the prenylation, plasma membrane anchoring and activation of RHO GTPases. This activation promotes further phosphorylation of STAT1 at S727 and stimulates YAP1 nuclear localization and activation. Although YAP1 acts downstream of STAT1, it also reinforces the loop by cooperating with TEAD4 to transcriptionally upregulate SREBF genes. Created in BioRender. Koromilas, A. (2025) https://BioRender.com/nz5wlhr .

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Labeling, Control, Gene Expression, Expressing, Mutagenesis, Activity Assay, Clinical Proteomics, Membrane, Activation Assay, Phospho-proteomics

Journal: Communications Biology

Article Title: A feedforward loop between STAT1 and YAP1 stimulates lipid biosynthesis, accelerates tumor growth, and promotes chemotherapy resistance in mutant KRAS colorectal cancer

doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08740-2

Figure Lengend Snippet: a , b HCT116 cells with intact or depleted STAT1 and/or YAP1 expression were subcutaneously transplanted into female nu/nu mice (n = 10 per group). Tumor volume (mm³) was measured over the indicated time course. At the end of the study, tumor tissues from 3 mice were analyzed by IHC to assess H&E staining and the subcellular localization of YAP1 ( b ). c , d Similarly, HCT116 cells with combined YAP1 and STAT1 deletion or expression were transplanted into nu/nu mice (n = 5 per group). When tumors reached ~200 mm 3 , mice were treated by oral gavage with either vehicle or cerivastatin (CERI). Tumor growth was monitored over time. Red and blue arrows indicate the start point of treatment of YAP1 +/+ STAT1 +/+ and YAP1 −/− STAT1 −/− tumors, respectively. At the endpoint, tumors from 3 mice were subjected to IHC for H&E and YAP1 detection ( d ). a–d Data represent mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was determined by t -test: * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001. Scale bar in panels b and d: 50 μm and 25 μm (insert image). Quantification graphs panels b and d show Histo (H)-scores for nuclear and cytoplasmic YAP1 staining. e HCT116 xenografts were established in nu/nu mice (n = 5 per group). Upon tumor growth to ~200 mm 3 (red arrow), mice received either vehicle, cerivastatin (oral), afatinib (intraperitoneal), or the combination of both. Tumor volume was tracked for the indicated duration. Data represent mean ± SEM. *** P < 0.001 (t-test). f In a similar setup, mice bearing HCT116 xenografts (~200 mm 3 tumors) were treated with vehicle, cerivastatin (oral), VT104 (oral), or their combination. Tumor growth was monitored throughout the experiment. Data represent mean ± SEM. ** P < 0.01 (t-test). g This schematic model illustrates how the STAT1–YAP1 signaling axis enhances the mevalonate pathway, thereby supporting tumor growth and chemoresistance in mutant KRAS CRC. Inhibiting YAP1-TEAD4 activity (e.g., using VT104) disrupts the SREBP-driven feedback loop that sustains mevalonate pathway activation. Additionally, pharmacological blockade of the mevalonate pathway with statins increases tumor sensitivity to YAP1–TEAD4 inhibition in xenograft models of mutant KRAS CRC.

Article Snippet: Plasmids containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged forms of wild type STAT1, STAT1 Y701F or STAT1 S727A cDNA were obtained from Addgene (plasmid #12301,12302 and 12304) .

Techniques: Expressing, Staining, Mutagenesis, Activity Assay, Activation Assay, Inhibition