While insulin-induced Thr308 phosphorylation of Akt is down-regulated in E2-transfected Huh7 cell suggesting that HCV E2 protein-induced insulin resistance may occur via a downregulation of Thr308 phosphorylation of Akt, which may serve as a signature molecule in HCV E2-mediated insulin resistance (Figure 5B). Here, INS is linked to Insulin resistance.