MTOR and hepatocellular carcinoma: In addition, adiponectin activates tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) protein through receptor-mediated phosphorylation of 5’- adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), thus attenuating the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and directly protecting against HCC (37, 49).