HBX is a deubiquitinase inhibitor. It inhibits HAdV type 5 (species C, HAdV-C5) replication and oncogenic transformation through inhibition of the cellular pro-viral factor ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7). HBX also significantly inhibits virus genome replication and progeny release of all adenovirus types tested, with the exception of types 12 and 31, from tested species.
HBX28258 is a recombinant human USP7 protein inhibitor. In human colon cancer and embryonic kidney cell, it acts by binding the active site through a covalent mechanism and selectively inactivating USP7 protein.
DL-Acetylshikonin can effectively inhibit tumor cells, it can be used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma cells expressing hepatitis B virus X protein (HBX) by inducing ER stress , an oncoprotein from hepatitis B virus. Acetylshikonin inhibits the production of eicosanoid, is due to the attenuation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) membrane recruitment via the decrease in [Ca(2+)](i) and to the blockade of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase activity.