Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
10:23
Lipid Droplet Isolation for Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Published on: April 17, 2017
Lipids at the interface of virus-host interactions.
Vineela Chukkapalli1, Nicholas S Heaton, Glenn Randall
1Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States.
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|June 12, 2012
Summary
Viruses hijack host cell processes, altering lipid metabolism for replication. Targeting these lipid pathways offers a new strategy to boost innate antiviral immunity and inhibit viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Viruses manipulate host cell machinery for replication.
- Lipid metabolism is frequently altered during viral infections.
- Host lipid pathways are increasingly recognized as crucial for antiviral defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the intricate relationship between viral replication and host lipid metabolism.
- To investigate how viruses remodel host lipid pathways.
- To understand the connection between lipid metabolism and innate antiviral immunity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of host cell lipid synthesis and signaling pathways.
- Investigating metabolic changes during viral infection.
- Exploring the modulation of lipid pathways for antiviral strategies.
Main Results:
- Viruses extensively remodel host cell physical and metabolic states.
- Lipid signaling, synthesis, and metabolism are key targets for viral manipulation.
- Modulation of lipid-modifying pathways can enhance innate antiviral responses.
Conclusions:
- Host lipid metabolism is a critical battleground in viral infections.
- Targeting viral-induced lipid changes presents a promising avenue for antiviral therapies.
- Understanding lipid pathway manipulation is key to developing novel antiviral strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Introduction to Virus
Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...
01:38Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies
Intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) are small vesicles 50-80 nm in diameter formed during the maturation of early endosomes. A specialized endosome containing numerous ILVs is called a multivesicular body (MVB). ILVs contain internalized molecules such as antigens, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Some of these molecules are released from the MVBs inside exosomes and are transported to other cells. Other MVBs contain molecules that are retained in the ILVs and are later degraded within the...
01:26Membrane Fluidity
Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
01:31Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
00:56Viral Structure
Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
01:35Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer
Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...