Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41414763›Full record

ArticleClinical and molecular hepatology2026

Acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase 2-mediated acetyl-coenzyme A accumulation promotes mitophagy and tumor growth via increased H3K27ac in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Shan Li, Jie Hu, Yihan Yan, Xinrui Liu, Xiao Dong, Huijun Liang, Xin Tang, Junji Tao, Rong Zhang, Yuan Hu and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical and molecular hepatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Shan LiDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Jie HuDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Central Laboratory, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Yihan YanDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Xinrui LiuDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Xiao DongDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Huijun LiangDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Xin TangDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Junji TaoDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Rong ZhangDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Yuan HuDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Ailong HuangDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Kai WangDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.
Ni TangDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Bishan, Chongqing, China.

Funding

Bishan HospitalBishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University BYKY-CX2024008China National Natural Science Foundation 82272975China National Natural Science Foundation 82273238Chongqing Education Commission KJQN202500458Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing Medical University W0160Chongqing medical youth top-notch talent project YXQN202476Chongqing Professional Talents Plan for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Demonstration Team CQYC202203091047Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases 202402National Key Research and Development Program of China 2023YFC2306800Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing CSTB2025NSCQ-GPX0358Pinnacle Disciplinary GroupSecond Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversitySenior Medical Talents Program of Chongqing for Young and Middle-aged
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

aimsAcetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial.

methodsA comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining.

resultsOur study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth.

conclusionsThese findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.

Indexed as

Acetate-CoA LigaseAcetyl Coenzyme ACarcinoma, HepatocellularHepatitis BHistonesLiver NeoplasmsMitophagyAnimalsCell Line, TumorCell ProliferationHepatitis B virusHumansMaleMiceMice, TransgenicAcetate-CoA LigaseAcetyl Coenzyme AACSS2 protein, humanHistonesAcetylationAcetyl coenzyme AHepatitis B virusLiver cancerMitophagy

Identifiers

PMID41414763
PMCPMC13129763

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.