Kang H, Heo S, Shin JJ, et al. - Researchers first reported the role of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and then gave evidence that PTBP1 was a key RBP that binded to CCND3 mRNA and improved its translation in HCC, resulting in cell cycle progression at the G1/S transition. In human HCC cells and tissues, the expression of PTBP1 was progressed in comparison with the corresponding controls, and this high expression was positively related to increased tumor size and a decreased survival rate. Mechanistically, PTBP1 improved cyclin D3 (CCND3) translation by communicating with the 5′-untranslated region of CCND3 mRNA, consequently promoting cell cycle progression and tumor growth. Moreover, miR-194 represses PTBP1 expression by binding to the 3′-UTR of PTBP1 mRNA, leading to decreased CCND3 levels and HCC cell growth, furthermore, the levels of PTBP1 were negatively associated with miR-194 levels in HCC. Altogether, these conclusions recognize PTBP1 as a pivotal enhancer of HCC growth and the miR-194/PTBP1/CCND3 axis apparently has a significant role in the development and progression of HCC and targeting the axis could be a novel therapeutic approach against human HCC.