Schematic diagram shows the mechanism between EFNA4 and the PIK3R2/GSK3β/β-catenin positive feedback loop
Overexpression of EFNA4 in HCC would active EPHA2 by phosphorylating at Ser897. Moreover, PIK3R2 interacts with EPHA2 and promotes the phosphorylation of GSK3β at Ser9, thus accelerating β-catenin transportation to the nucleus and activating CTCF, which leads to an increase of PIK3R2.