Potential target genes that were simultaneously lower expressed in HCC tissues and downregulation in sorafenib resistant cells were selected for further study, leading to the identification of ANGPTL3, protein AMBP (AMBP), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein large subunit (MTTP), reelin (RELN) and anion exchange protein 3 (SLC4A3) (Fig. 1A). The gene discussed is SLC4A3; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.