Consistent with the above in vivo findings, RBM24 overexpression resulted in the upregulation of PTEN as well as a reduction of Akt phosphorylation in HCT116 cells, but had no effect on the expression of Akt (Figure 4D); meanwhile, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expression was significantly downregulated in CRC cells compared to the control. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.