To directly assess this, Hep3B human hepatoma cells were transfected with either wild-type (WT) GFP-Rab5, a constitutively active GTP-bound mutant (GFP-Rab5 Q79L), or a dominant-negative GDP-bound mutant (GFP-Rab5 S34N) generated through site directed mutagenesis. This evidence concerns the gene RAB5A and hepatocellular carcinoma.