Next, IGF-1, an AKT activator was used to treat HCC cell lines with si-DNMT3A transfection, cell proliferation was determined through BrdU assay and the results demonstrated that activation of AKT enhanced cell growth that was weakened by si-DNMT3A (**p<0.01, Figure 9B). The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.