No abstract

Concerted co-regulation of multiple signalling pathways is crucial for tissue homoeostasis and tumorigenesis. Here we report that VGLL4, a previously identified YAP antagonist, also functions as a regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. The expression of VGLL4 is significantly downregulated in clinical colorectal carcinoma (CRC) specimens, positively associated with patient survival rate, and inversely correlated with the expression of Wnt target genes in CRCs. Knockdown of VGLL4 enhances proliferation and tumour formation of CRC cells. A designed peptide mimicking the function of VGLL4 effectively inhibits CRC progression in a de novo mouse model. Mechanistically, TEAD4 associates with TCF4 to form a complex and cobind target genes. VGLL4 targets this TEAD4–TCF4 complex to interfere the functional interplay between TEAD4 and TCF4, suppressing the transactivation of TCF4. Collectively, our study indicates that Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo-YAP signalling are directly linked at transcription factor-level, and VGLL4 can target a TEAD4–TCF4 complex to co-regulate both pathways.

Rational design, convenient fabrication, and application of double-shelled hollow architectures with well-defined morphology and multicompositions as electrodes for rechargeable batteries still remain great challenges. Herein, double-shelled Ni− Fe−P/N-doped carbon nanoboxes (defined as Ni−Fe−P/NC) were synthesized and then applied as electrode materials for potassiumion batteries (KIBs) and Li−S batteries, first. The unique architectures could not only alleviate volume changes and prevent aggregation of Ni−Fe−P/NC during cycling but could also provide efficient surface areas for infiltration of electrolyte. Additionally, nitrogen-doped carbon could improve the conductivity of the electrode. Hence, when these Ni−Fe−P/NC nanoboxes were applied as anode materials for KIBs, they delivered enhanced cycling stability (172.9 mA h g −1 after 1600 cycles at 500 mA g −1 and 115 mA h g −1 after 2600 cycles at 1000 mA g −1 ). Meanwhile, the Ni−Fe−P/NC could also be used as the sulfur host material for Li−S batteries; benefiting from its unique hollow structure, it can accommodate high sulfur loading and have strong chemical adsorption ability to polysulfides.