Ectopic overexpression of COTE1 promoted HCC cell invasion [21]; besides, upregulation of COTE1 could physically interact with WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), induce WWOX dephosphorylation, subsequently resulting in WWOX-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis suppression and cell cycle progression stimulation [22]. Here, WWOX is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.