Secondly, MALAT1 sequesters miR-146b-5p, leading to upregulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and TRAF6-mediated AKT phosphorylation, resulting in enhanced expression of MMP-9, which facilitates the migration of HCC cells [36]. Here, AKT1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.