Hepatitis C virus core protein modulates several signaling pathways involved in hepatocellular carcinoma

Figure 2 Interaction between the TGF-β signaling pathway and HCV core protein. TGF-β regulates target gene transcription via canonical (Smad-dependent) and non-canonical (Smad-independent) pathways, and HCV core protein modulates TGF-β signaling pathway in various ways. For detailed information, see text. TGF-β: Transforming growth factor β; HCV: Hepatitis C virus; TβR: TGF-β receptor; ROS: Receptor tyrosine kinase c-ros oncogene 1; TFs: Transcription factors; Smad: Small mothers against decapentaplegic; RhoA: Ras homolog gene family member A; MEKK: Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase; RAS: Rat sarcoma; ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; JNKs: Jun N-terminal kinases; P160ROCK: Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1; SBEs: SMAD-binding elements; TBE: T-box binding element.