Predictably, CCK8 and transwell invasion assay indicated that both NRF1 knockdown and PD184352 significantly inhibited proliferation and invasion capability of HCC cell but NRF1 knockdown and PD184352 had no additive effects (Fig. 6J and K), suggesting ERK1/2 signaling pathway was a downstream effector of NRF1. Here, NRF1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.