Interaction of hepatitis B virus with cellular processes in liver carcinogenesis

Hepatitis B infection is strongly linked epidemiologically to hepatocellula r carcinoma development. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms by w hich hepatitis B encoded proteins such as hepatitis B x and hepatitis B sur face transactivators may interact with gene transcription, tumor suppressio n, apoptosis, and signalling pathways of the liver cell with the possible c onsequence of tumor induction. Data on the interaction between hepatitis B proteins and cellular processes are often conflicting indicating a non-spec ific simultaneous interaction with antagonistic cellular processes that res ult in the formation of escape mutants that are not subject to these select ive pressures.