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Modulation of Yorkie activity by alternative splicing is required for developmental stability

The mechanisms that contribute to developmental stability are barely known. Here we show that alternative splicing of yorkie (yki) is required for developmental stability in Drosophila. Yki encodes the effector of the Hippo pathway that has a central role in controlling organ growth and regeneration. We identify the splicing factor B52 as necessary for inclusion of yki alternative exon 3 that encodes one of the two WW domains of Yki protein. B52 depletion favors expression of Yki1 isoform carrying a single WW domain, and reduces growth in part through modulation of yki alternative splicing. Compared to the canonical Yki2 isoform containing two WW domains, Yki1 isoform has reduced transcriptional and growth-promoting activities, decreased binding to PPxY-containing partners, and lacks the ability to bridge two proteins containing PPxY motifs. Yet, Yki1 and Yki2 interact similarly with transcription factors and can thus compete in vivo. Strikingly, flies deprived from Yki1 isoform exhibit increased fluctuating wing asymmetry, a signal of increased developmental noise. Our results identify yki alternative splicing as a new level of control of the Hippo pathway and provide the first experimental evidence that alternative splicing participates in developmental robustness.