Objective    Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded X (HBx) contributes to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPARγ) highly expressed in some hepatoma cell lines. We tend to investigate the possible relationship between HBx and PPARγ in the development of hepatic cancer.     Methods    PPARγ of HepG2 cells traysinfected with recombinant HBx adenovirus

with blank vector and without transfection was detected by RT-PCR for its mRNA level

Western blot for its protein level and immunocytochemistry for its localization. The effect of HBx on the inhibition of HepG2 cell growth by troglitazone

the ligand of PPARγ

was measured by MTT assay.      Results    The localization of PPARγ in HepG2 cells infected with HBx adenovirus was changed

increasing in cytoplasm and decreasing in cellular nucleus

while the expressions of PPARγ mRNA and protein were not significantly changed

compared with those in HepG2 cells or HepG2 cells transfected with blank vector. The inhibitory effects of troglitazone on HepG2 cell growth weakened when HepG2 cells were infected with HBx adenovirus.     Conclusion    HBx may affect the localization of PPARγ

but not the quantity of PPARγ expression. HBx decreases the inhibition ratio of troglitazone on HepG2 cell growth.