Expression of APOBEC2 is transcriptionally regulated by NF-κB in human hepatocytes

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic subunit 2 (APOBEC2) is a member of the nucleic-acid-editing enzymes. However, the physiological function of APOBEC2 remains unclear. We demonstrate that APOBEC2 expression is strongly enhanced in response to both tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β. Inhibition of NF-κB activation invariably blocks TNF-α-induced APOBEC2 expression. The promoter region of APOBEC2 contains functional NF-κB response elements in the 5′ untranslated region of the gene at −625/−616. These results show that APOBEC2 expression is regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines via NF-κB activation and suggest a possible role of APOBEC2 in the pathophysiology of hepatic inflammation.