The hepatitis B viral X protein activates NF-I[ordmB signaling pathway through the up-regulation of TBK1

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 584; no. 3; pp. 525 - 530
• Main Authors: Kim, Hye Rim, Lee, Sae Hee, Jung, Guhung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 05.02.2010
• ISSN: 0014-5793
• DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.11.091

The hepatitis B viral X protein (HBx) is a multifunctional protein that plays a role in the activation of the NF-I[ordmB signaling pathway. In this study, we demonstrate that HBx up-regulates expression of TANK-binding kinase-1 (TBK1) at the transcriptional level. Increased levels of TBK1 protein then induce the phosphorylation of NF-I[ordmB p65 at serine 536. Because TBK1 is up-regulated by HBx as part of its promotion of NF-I[ordmB activation, it is possible that increased TBK1 levels play a role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). From these data, we suggest that TBK1 may play a role in the HBx-mediated activation of the NF-I[ordmB signaling pathway and the development of HCCs.