ASCL1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: The JASPAR database confirmed the binding of ASCL1 to SLC6A13, and ASCL1 was significantly overexpressed in normal samples in the TCGA-LIHC dataset and positively correlated with SLC6A13. Dual-luciferase assay verified the transcriptional regulatory effect of ASCL1 on SLC6A13. Based on in vitro investigations, ASCL1 functions as a tumor suppressor in HCC cells, preventing the growth, migration, and invasion of cancer cells.