The western blotting analysis results showed that the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR were dramatically reduced in Rad51-silenced SiHa and HCC-0214 cells compared with NC-transfected cells, while transfection of the miR-125a inhibitor markedly elevated the levels of these proteins that were reduced by Rad51 silencing in SiHa and HCC-0214 cells (P < 0.01, P < 0.001; Figure 6). This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.