This protein kinase was found to be expressed at a low level in HCC tissue compared to adjacent non-tumor tissue and was also expressed at a low level in two HCC cell lines, HepG2 and BEL-740 L. Ectopic (increased) expression of CaMKIV in these cell lines inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis. The gene discussed is CAMK4; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.