To test whether the P53 pathway was involved in the effects of CENP-A on HCC cell apoptosis, we examined the expression of several key components of this pathway (i.e., P53, MDM2, Bcl-2, and Bax) in the HepG2 cells overexpressing or depleted CENP-A. The gene discussed is MDM2; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.