With the demonstration of robust NIS expression in non-thyroid cancer cells by suppressing the MAP kinase and PI3K/Akt pathways and HDAC, we used M14, HepG2 and MKN-7 cells to test the ultimate functional relevance of this finding by examining the ability of these cells to take up radioiodide after induction of NIS. The gene discussed is SLC5A5; the disease is thyroid cancer.