Fig 2: PWP1 inhibits the Hippo signaling pathway by interaction with Merlin. After transfection of PWP1 into SK-MES-1 cell line, wb showed that the phosphorylation of YAP was downregulated, and expression levels of target genes of the Hippo pathway, CTGF and Cyclin E were increased (A). After knocking down PWP1 into H1299 cell line, wb showed that the phosphorylation of YAP were upregulated, and expression levels of target genes of the Hippo pathway, CTGF and Cyclin E were decreased (B). Transfection of PWP1 significantly inhibited the Hippo signaling pathway (YAP/TEAD expression increased), after knocking down PWP1 significantly enhanced the activities of Hippo signaling pathway (C). Columns: mean numbers, Bar: SD. (*P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that PWP1 and Merlin colocalized in the cytoplasm (D, magnification 600×). Co-ip analysis demonstrated that PWP1 interacted with Merlin (E). Transfection of PWP1 and knocking down Merlin into A549 cell line, we found that the effect of PWP1 on the Hippo signaling pathway were offset (F). Results are shown from three independent experiments.