AHR and hepatocellular carcinoma: Furthermore, the Akt-mediated phosphorylation of transcription factors OCT4 at threonine 235 (Thr235) is responsible for regulating the sphere formation and tumorigenesis in HCC cells, while the treatment of ITE, an agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), could diminish this Akt-mediated OCT4 phosphorylation [36].