TP53 and hepatocellular carcinoma: For instance, the HCV core protein sensitizes host cells to TRAIL-induced cell apoptosis by activating the CK1α-p53-Bid dependent pathway in human hepatoma cells [16] or is able to suppress the p53-dependent apoptosis induced by the all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the most biologically active metabolite of vitamin A [17].