Here, we demonstrated that circMDK up-regulates the expression of ATG16L1 by adsorption of miR-346 and miR-874-3p to activate PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and ultimately promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells, as well as inhibition of apoptosis. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.