Bufalin inhibits the proliferation of lung cancer cells by suppressing Hippo-YAP pathway.

Lung cancer has high morbidity and mortality. This study demonstrated that Bufalin inhibits the proliferation of lung cancer cells in vivo / in vitro by suppressing Hippo-YAP pathway. Here, we found that Bufalin promoted the binding of LATS and YAP to elevate the level of YAP phosphorylation. Phosphorylated YAP could not successfully enter the nucleus to activate the expression of downstream proliferation-related target genes Cyr61 and CTGF, whereas the YAP retained in the cytoplasm further bound to β-TrCP and underwent ubiquitination and degradation. This study verified the key role of YAP in stimulating the proliferation of lung cancer and revealed the anticancer target of Bufalin. Therefore, this study provides a theoretical basis for the anticancer effect of Bufalin, and suggests that Bufalin can be a potential anticancer drug.