Figure 1. Overview of the consequences of miR-122 loss on hepatocyte function.

The normal functions of the hepatocyte include carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, bilirubin excretion, and detoxification of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics. In this issue, Tsai et al. and Hsu et al. demonstrate that loss of miR-122 results in increased lipid synthesis and decreased lipid export, but other hepatocyte functions are unaltered. Loss of miR-122 also led to increased inflammation and fibrosis, and eventually the development of HCC, suggesting the miR-122 plays a tumor-suppressive role.