Hepatitis B Virus Core Promoter Mutations Contribute to Hepatocarcinogenesis by Deregulating SKP2 and Its Target, p21

HBx mutants with changes that correspond to a combination of CP mutations up-regulate SKP2, which then down-regulates p21 via ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. CP mutations might increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma via this pathway.