Further mechanism studies showed that LRRC1 enhances PDK1 stability by promoting its deubiquitination via USP7, thereby increasing AKT1 phosphorylation levels and activating the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin/VEGFA signaling pathway, ultimately accelerating tumor angiogenesis in HCC. This evidence concerns the gene PDK1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.