Consistent with this hypothesis, this study demonstrates that PRPF8 silencing reduces the inclusion of FN1 exon 40.2; inhibits FAK/AKT phosphorylation; alters the expression of several genes involved in FAK signaling; such as MAP2K139 and ITGB140; and impedes stress fiber formation, all of which are essential for cell migration and invasion30, two processes of paramount relevance to HCC. Here, AKT1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.