Moreover, we examined EMT-related markers by western blotting (Additional file 2: Figure S1B), and we found knockdown CENPM could increase expression of epithelial marker (E-cadherin), downregulate mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, vimentin and fibronectin), suggesting that CENPM may be involved in promoting metastasis of HCC via EMT. This evidence concerns the gene VIM and hepatocellular carcinoma.