Fig. 2.

YAP/TAZ knockdown inhibits expression of TGF-β target genes CCN2, JunB, and HGF. Primary adult human dermal fibroblasts were transfected with non-specific control siRNA or YAP and/or TAZ siRNAs (400 nM). 32 h after transfection, cells were treated with vehicle (PBS) or TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) for 16 h. Whole cell extracts were prepared 48 h after transfection. a CCN2 mRNA levels. N = 4, *p < 0.05 vs CTRL siRNA, **p < 0.05 vs CTRL siRNA with TGF-β1. b and c CCN2 protein levels. N = 3 *p < 0.05 vs CTRL siRNA, **p < 0.05 vs CTRL siRNA with TGF-β1. Full-length blots are presented in Additional file 1: Figure S3. d CCN2 mRNA levels are reduced by YAP/ TAZ siRNA #2. N = 3, *p < 0.05 vs CTRL siRNA, **p < 0.05 vs CTRL siRNA with TGF-β1. e JunB mRNA levels. N = 3, *p < 0.05 vs CTRL siRNA with TGF-β1. f HGF mRNA levels. N = 3, *p < 0.05 vs CTRL siRNA with TGF-β1. mRNA levels were quantified by real-time RT-PCR and normalized to mRNA for housekeeping gene 36B4. Protein levels were determined by Western blots. Protein levels were normalized by β-actin as a loading control. All data are mean±SEM