Augmented Acyl-CoA Biosynthesis Promotes Resistance to TEAD Palmitoylation Site Inhibition

Activation of the YAP-TEAD transcriptional complex drives the growth of several cancer types and is a key resistance mechanism to targeted therapies. Accordingly, a host of pharmacological inhibitors to TEAD family paralogs have been developed, yet little is known as to the resistance mechanisms that might arise against this emerging therapeutic class. Here, we report that genetic augmentation of de novo coenzyme A biosynthesis desensitizes YAP-dependent cancer cells to treatment with TEAD inhibitors, an effect driven by increased levels of palmitoyl-CoA that outcompete drug for engagement of the lipid-binding pocket. This work uncovers a potential therapeutic resistance mechanism to TEAD palmitoylation site inhibition with implications for future combinatorial treatments in the clinic.