Sp1 is involved in regulation of cystathionine γ-lyase gene expression and biological function by PI3K/Akt pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

► PI3K/Akt positively correlated with CSE expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. ► PI3K/Akt pathway regulated the CSE expression at transcriptional level. ► PI3K/Akt pathway increased the activity of CSE gene promoter via Sp1. ► CSE promoted human hepatocellular carcinoma cells proliferation via cell cycle progression by endogenous H2S production.