Since bioinformatic analysis indicated that Hippo signaling was stimulated by P. gingivalis infection of ESCC cells, we next addressed whether YAP/TAZ, which are effectors of the Hippo pathway, were activated by P. gingivalis. Consistently, coculture of ESCC cells with P. gingivalis for 24 h resulted in significant dephosphorylation of YAP on Ser127 and of TAZ on Ser89, with concomitant higher levels of YAP and TAZ protein compared with untreated control cells (Fig 3A). The gene discussed is YAP1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.