Fig. 4.

USP39 regulates TAZ through a LATS1/2-independent mechanism. a Graphic representation of relative luciferase activity in reporter assays to probe activation through seven cancer-associated pathways in U87MG-sh-USP39-1 cells. Luciferase reporter constructs regulated by pathway specific promoters were transfected into cells and assayed for luciferase activity. b Western blotting analysis of TAZ and other key components of the Hippo signaling pathway in U87MG-, A172-, and P3-sh-USP39-1 cells relative to controls. GAPDH was used for normalization. c Representative images of IHC staining of USP39, TAZ, and Ki67 levels in xenograft sections from U87MG-NC, U87MG-sh-USP39-1, P3-NC, and P3-sh-USP39-1 groups. Scale bars, 50 µm. d Graphic representation of IHC scores for USP39, TAZ, and Ki67 levels from indicated groups. e Representative images of IHC staining of USP39 and TAZ in primary human glioma samples (n = 33). Scale bars, 50 µm. f Correlation of USP39 and TAZ protein expression in primary human glioma samples. IHC scores are indicated in parentheses. Student’s t-test: *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01. χ²-test and Fisher’s exact test: p < 0.05