The DCLK1-expressing hepatoma cells produce a short form of active β-catenin containing an unphosphorylated N-terminus and a preserved TCF-4 binding capacity, but do not have the C-terminus regulatory region of the full-length β-catenin (92 kDa) that is required to bind E-cadherin. This evidence concerns the gene DCLK1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.