Targeting dynamic palmitoylation of TEAD transcription factors

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Deregulation of Hippo–YAP signaling is implicated in diverse human cancers. TEAD transcription factors bind to the transcription co-activators YAP/TAZ, and control the transcriptional output of the Hippo pathway. However, it remains difficult to directly target TEAD–YAP by small molecules. We previously discovered that TEADs possess intrinsic “enzyme-like” activities and undergo autopalmitoylation (16-carbon fatty acylation). Palmitoylation is critical for TEAD protein stability and transcriptional activation. We recently discovered that ABHD1 is a novel depalmitoylase regulating TEADs. Loss of ABHD1 in cancers might lead to sustained TEAD palmitoylation and activation of TEAD–YAP. In addition, we identified MGH-CP1 as novel chemical inhibitor of TEAD palmitoylation, providing a pharmacological tool to suppress TEAD–YAP activates in cancers. Our specific aims of this proposal include: (1) to investigate the role of ABHD1 in regulation of TEAD depalmitoylation; (2) To optimize MGH-CP1 and develop potent and selective TEAD inhibitors. (3) To target TEAD–YAP transcriptional complex in vitro and in vivo using pharmacological tools.