However, the tumor suppressor gene products (p53 and RB1) and apoptotic (Apaf-1) and autophagic markers (VSP34, ATG12, and LC-3II) increased 2–6.2-fold in hepatoma cells transfected with ISX shRNAi (Figures 3E and S1C). Here, APAF1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.