In the present study, we showed that YAP nuclear localization was significantly increased in both hypoxic HCC cells and xenograft tumours, along with increased mRNA levels of the YAP target genes AREG, CTGF and Cyr61. Silencing of YAP with small interfering RNA (siRNA) sensitized the cells to sorafenib under hypoxia, thus highlighting the contribution of YAP to hypoxia-mediated sorafenib resistance. The gene discussed is CCN1; the disease is neoplasm.