Next, in an attempt to identify the synergistic function of CTGF and MCM8 in the development of osteosarcoma, MNNG/HOS cell models with mere CTGF depletion and concurrent MCM8 depletion and CTGF depletion were prepared, verified (Supplementary Fig. 2A–D), and used in the following functional experiments. The gene discussed is CCN2; the disease is osteosarcoma.