HBx inhibits A20 expression in hepatocytes at the protein but not the mRNA level.

<p>(A) L-O2, L-O2-pCMV, and L-O2-HBx cells were analyzed for A20 and HBx expression by western blot. (B) L-O2 cells and HepG2 cells were transfected with the pCMV-HBx plasmid at the indicated dose, and after 48 h, A20 expression was analyzed by western blot. (C) L-O2-HBx cells were transfected with control siRNA or HBx siRNA, and A20 and HBx expression was analyzed by western blot. (D, E) L-O2, L-O2-pCMV, and L-O2-HBx cells were analyzed for A20 mRNA expression by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. (F) HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells were analyzed for A20 mRNA expression by quantitative PCR. The results are from three independent experiments and are presented as the mean ± SEM.