Functionally, the TMAO-POSTN axis amplifies AKT/mTOR signaling (Wu et al., 2022): knockdown of POSTN by RNA interference in HCC cell lines (such as Hepa1-6 and Huh7) resulted in significant reductions in AKT phosphorylation and mTOR activity, accompanied by impaired cell proliferation. This evidence concerns the gene MTOR and hepatocellular carcinoma.