Hepatitis B virus X protein inhibits p53-mediated upregulation of mitofusin-2 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

► HBx inhibits p53-mediated upregulation of Mfn2 in HCC. ► Doxorubicin cannot upregulate Mfn2 protein expression in HepG2.2.15. ► P53-mediated upregulation of Mfn2 can be blocked by HBx. ► HBx counteracts Mfn2 promoter activity in doxorubicin-treated HepG2 cells. ► HBx inhibits the interactions between p53 and the p53 binding site of Mfn2.