In contrast, the truncated KPNA2 isoforms which lack the NLS-binding domain but retain their ability to bind to importin β exist in nuclei of non-tumor liver tissues and in cytoplasm/membrane of HCC without obvious nuclear translocation, indicating their physiological functions in normal liver cells and failure to transport cargo proteins into nuclei of HCC cells. Here, KPNA2 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.