In human hepatoma cells, ORF2 protein could directly associate with the F-box protein βTRCP and heterologous expression of the ORF2 protein led to reduced recruitment of SKP1 and CUL1 subunits to the SCFβTRCP ubiquitination complex, resulting in decreased ubiquitination and degradation of the IκBα protein. This evidence concerns the gene NFKBIA and hepatocellular carcinoma.