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The incidence of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HCC‐related deaths have remarkably increased over the recent decades. It has been reported that β‐catenin activation can be frequently observed in HCC cases. This study identified the integrin‐linked kinase‐associated phosphatase (ILKAP) as a novel β‐catenin‐interacting protein. ILKAP is localized both in the nucleus and cytoplasm and regulates the WNT pathway in different ways. First, it is demonstrated that ILKAP activates the WNT pathway in HCC cells by increasing the protein level of β‐catenin and other proteins associated with the WNT signaling, such as c‐Myc and CyclinD1. Next, it is shown that ILKAP promotes the metastasis of HCC both in vitro and in vivo in a zebrafish xenograft model. It is also found that ILKAP dephosphorylates the GSK3β and CK1, contributing to the reduced ubiquitination of β‐catenin. Furthermore, it is identified that ILKAP functions by mediating binding between TCF4 and β‐catenin to enhance expression of WNT target genes. Taken together, the study demonstrates a critical function of ILKAP in metastasis of HCC, since ILKAP is crucial for the activation of the WNT pathway via stabilization of β‐catenin and increased binding between TCF4 and β‐catenin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the diffusion kinetics of lithium ions in polycrystalline LNMO cathode materials, LNMO cathode materials with grain radial growth microstructure were prepared by high-temperature solid-phase method after adjusting the microstructure of MnCO3 precursor, and the effect of this unique microstructure on the electrochemical performance was studied. The excellent rate performance of R-LNMO electrode proves that the microstructure of grain radial growth provides a rapid diffusion path for Li+ from the inside to the surface of the particle, which is conducive to efficient transmission. In addition, the directional arrangement of grains helps the electrolyte to enter and reduce the polarization effect, thus endowing LNMO with excellent rate performance. Compared with the traditional polycrystalline LNMO, the R-LNMO electrode can still provide a high specific discharge capacity of 101.5 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 10 C, and the retention rate of 10 C/0.2 C is 86.9%. Even after 1000 cycles at 10 C high current, the capacity retention rate can reach 77.2%, which shows excellent cycle stability. This strategy of controlling precursor structure provides a new idea for the fast charging and discharging of polycrystalline cathode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]