In other cell lines, e.g., human HeG2 and rat hepatoma cells, expression of SOCS, the intracellular signal terminators for GH (40), can also inhibit InsR activation and its post-receptor signaling via IRS, Akt and ERK1/2 (41), which may add another facet on the functional interaction between GH and insulin. This evidence concerns the gene INSR and hepatocellular carcinoma.