Figure 6.

Nrf2 and G6PD are required to HBx-promoted cell proliferation. (a) G6PD and Nrf2 protein levels in HBx-GFP cells with the expression of indicated shRNAs. (b) Cell proliferation assay of the cells in (a). Data are presented as mean±S.E.M. of triplicate experiments. (c) Colony formation assay of the cells in (a). Colonies in three randomly chosen fields per well were quantified. Data are presented as mean±S.E.M. of triplicate experiments. **P<0.01. (d) Schematic model for HBV-stimulated Nrf2 activation and G6PD expression. In HBV-infected hepatocytes, HBx on the one hand results in the accumulation of p62 through inhibition of autophagic flux, and on the other hand interacts with Keap1 through p62, enabling the formation of HBx–p62–Keap1 aggregates in the cytoplasm. The aggregates hijack Keap1 from Nrf2 leading to Nrf2 activation and G6PD expression