REG1A and hepatocellular carcinoma: Furthermore, ALKBH5 expression has been linked to other diseases, such as hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC).In this case, the high expression of ALKBH5 is mediated by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) x protein (HBx) and relies on the wdr5-triggered H3K4me3 modification of the ALKBH5 gene promoter.