Mitochondrial dysfunction has also been linked to steatosis in HCV patients either through activation of the sterol regulatory element-binding-protein (SREBP 1c) signaling pathway or inhibition of retinoid X receptor alpha (RXR-α) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α); the key regulators of fatty-acid beta-oxidation. This evidence concerns the gene RXRA and steatosis.