Interestingly, AQP9-overexpressing human HCC SMMC-7721 cells displayed increased expression of E-cadherin and decreased expression of N-cadherin in vitro and in xenografted tumors that were positively correlated with decreased levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and p-Akt. The gene discussed is AQP9; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.