NDUFA4L2 was also found to be a direct transcriptional target of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α; knockdown of NDUFA4L2 or inhibition of HIF-1α led to marked suppression of tumor growth and metastasis, suggesting that patients with hepatocellular carcinoma patients who exhibit NDUFA4L2 overexpression may be suitable candidates for HIF inhibitor treatment. Here, HIF1A is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.