CCN2 and neoplasm: However, non-phosphorylated YAP/TAZ tends to be increased significantly in malignant tumor cells; they can enter the nucleus smoothly and regulate the expression of several genes related to proliferation, anti-apoptosis, and stem cell characteristics [11], including the secretory proteins connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and CYR61 [12, 13], AXL receptor tyrosine kinase, c-myc and surviving [14].