HIV-1 viral genes and mitochondrial apoptosis

The mitochondrion is an organelle that regulates various cellular functions including the production of energy and programmed cell death. Aberrant mitochondrial function is often concomitant with various cytopathies and medical disorders. The mitochondrial membrane plays a key role in the induction of cellular apoptosis, and its destabilization, as triggered by both intracellular and extracellular stimuli, results in the release of proapoptotic factors into the cytosol. Not surprisingly, proteins from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) have been implicated in exploiting this organelle to promote the targeted depletion of key immune cells, which assists in viral evasion of the immune system and contributes to the characteristic global immunodeficiency observed during progression of disease. Here we review the mechanisms by which HIV affects the mitochondrion, and suggest that various viral-associated genes may directly regulate apoptotic cell death.