Fig. 8: Schematic of HBx-induced elevation of USP26 involved in hepatocellular carcinoma by stabilizing SIRT1.

HBx acts as a transcriptional coactivator to recruit β-catenin and subsequently promote the transcriptional activation of USP26. Then, HBx promotes the interaction between induced USP26 and SIRT1, enhancing the stability of the SIRT1 protein and promoting the progression of HCC.