NT5DC2 overexpression decreased the G1 phase ratio and increased the S phase ratio in both the MHCC97H and PLC/RLF/5 cell lines, indicating that NT5DC2 promoted HCC cell proliferation by releasing the cells from the G0/G1 phase block (Fig. 3c and Supplemental Fig. 5). This evidence concerns the gene HSPG2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.