Moreover, systematic TCGA database interrogation indicated that high expression of BCAT1 and low expression of several selected key enzymes (BCKDHB, ACADSB, ACADM, EHHADH, DLD, HMGCL and HMGC2) in BCAA metabolism of HCC were associated with unfavourable patient survival (Supplementary Fig. 5i–p). This evidence concerns the gene ARID4B and hepatocellular carcinoma.