EIF2AK2 and hepatocellular carcinoma: This study aimed to define the function of the nc886-PKR-eIF2α axis in HBV-replicating hepatoma cells and to determine whether nc886 depletion suppresses HBV replication via PKR-dependent translational control.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Huh7 cells and Huh7 cells stably harboring a 1.3-mer HBV replicon were used.