BEX1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: For example, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the DNMT1-regulated protein brain-expressed X-linked 1 (BEX1) is overexpressed and sustains CSC maintenance by sequestering RUNX family transcription factor 3 (RUNX3), a repressor of catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) transcription, thereby activating WNT/β-catenin signaling.34 Aberrant DNA methylation also disrupts intestinal stem cell (ISC) differentiation during early WNT/β-catenin-driven tumorigenesis.35