Therefore, it is possible that SPRED2 regulates autophagy through regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway [12,13]; however, the involvement of the MAPK/ERK pathway in the autophagic flux in HCC cells and the role of SPRED2 in normal hepatocyte physiology remain to be elucidated. The gene discussed is SPRED2; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.