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Viral proteins targeting mitochondria: controlling cell death
Patricia Boya1, Anne-Laure Pauleau, Delphine Poncet
1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8125, Institut Gustave Roussy, Pavillon de Recherche 1, 39 rue Camille-Desmoulins, F-94805 Villejuif, France.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|December 4, 2004
Summary
Viruses manipulate apoptosis by targeting mitochondria, using proteins that either induce or inhibit programmed cell death. These viral proteins interact with mitochondrial membranes and host apoptosis regulators.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) is a key regulator of apoptosis.
- Viruses employ diverse strategies to control host cell apoptosis for replication.
- Viral proteins interact with mitochondria to modulate programmed cell death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review viral strategies for modulating apoptosis at the mitochondrial level.
- To highlight the structural and functional roles of viral proteins in apoptosis.
- To explore the mechanisms of viral pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins.
Main Methods:
- Structural analysis of viral proteins.
- Functional studies of viral protein interactions with mitochondria.
- Review of existing literature on viral modulation of apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Viral proapoptotic proteins translocate to mitochondria, inducing MMP via amphipathic alpha-helices.
- Viral antiapoptotic proteins, homologous to Bcl-2 family domains, target the outer mitochondrial membrane.
- Specific viral antiapoptotic proteins bind host apoptosis regulators like Bax, Bcl-2, and caspases.
Conclusions:
- Viruses utilize distinct protein structures and mechanisms to control mitochondrial apoptosis.
- Viral proteins can either promote or inhibit apoptosis by interacting with mitochondrial pathways.
- Understanding these viral strategies offers insights into apoptosis regulation and potential therapeutic targets.