These data indicate that the genetic alterations of HMGA2 concomitantly occurs with those of many TGF-β pathway core genes including PJA1/2 in HCC patients, suggesting that these concomitant genetic alterations of HMGA2 and TGF-β pathway core genes might be involved in tumorigenesis and development of HCC and thus, helpful as biomarkers for screening of HCC. This evidence concerns the gene PJA1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.