PGC-1α functions as tumor suppressor in HCC [22], Our results showed direct repression of ZNF281 on PGC-1α, which partly explained the down-regulation of PGC-1α in HCC, and also suggested that silencing of PGC-1α might be an important mechanism for ZNF281 to promote invasion and metastasis of HCC. Here, ZNF281 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.