In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that ANKFN1 promotes HCC cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via the ERK/c-Myc/cyclin D1/Cdk4/Cdk6 pathway (Fig. 8) and that inhibition of ERK can reverse the biological effects of ANKFN1 in HCC cell lines (Fig. 7). The gene discussed is MAPK1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.