Ikuo Shoji

E3 ubiquitin ligase HUWE1 mediates K6-linked polyubiquitylation and stabilization of Nrf2 to restrict hepatitis B virus replication

Identification of molecular determinants governing KIF4 cargo recognition of NTCP and their role in HBV/HDV infection

The paper identifies a leucine-rich motif in NTCP essential for KIF4-mediated trafficking and HBV/HDV infection, revealing a conserved cargo recognition mechanism shared with integrin β1.

HCV infection induces ubiquitin-dependent degradation of LATS1, inactivating the Hippo pathway and upregulating transcription of the CYR61 and CTGF genes

This study shows HCV infection causes LATS1 degradation via ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal pathway, inactivating the Hippo pathway and increasing CYR61 and CTGF gene transcription.

Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease cleaves SPG20, a key regulator of lipid droplet turnover, to promote lipid droplet formation

This study identifies that HCV NS3/4A protease cleaves SPG20, disrupting Itch-mediated degradation of ADRP and promoting lipid droplet formation in infected cells.

RXR agonist S169 inhibits HBV/HDV entry in vitro by disrupting KIF4-dependent NTCP trafficking.

This study identifies S169, an RXR agonist, as an inhibitor of HBV/HDV entry by disrupting KIF4-dependent NTCP trafficking in human hepatocytes.