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Mitochondrial dynamics and viral infections: A close nexus
Mohsin Khan1, Gulam Hussain Syed1, Seong-Jun Kim1
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|January 18, 2015
Summary
Viruses hijack mitochondria, altering their structure and function to promote replication. This review explores how viral infections impact mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, influencing disease outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Mitochondrial Biology
Background:
- Viruses manipulate host cell functions for proliferation.
- Mitochondria are crucial for cellular energy, metabolism, and immunity.
- Mitochondrial dynamics (fission/fusion) and mitophagy maintain mitochondrial health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how viral infections affect mitochondrial dynamics.
- To explore the role of mitochondrial dynamics in viral pathogenesis.
- To understand the interplay between viruses and mitochondrial quality control.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of viral-mitochondria interactions.
- Analysis of studies on mitochondrial fission, fusion, and mitophagy during infection.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on viral manipulation of mitochondrial networks.
Main Results:
- Viral infections disrupt mitochondrial network structure and dynamics.
- Altered mitochondrial dynamics impact cellular metabolism and immune responses.
- Viruses exploit these changes to enhance their replication and survival.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial dynamics are a critical battleground during viral infections.
- Targeting mitochondrial dynamics may offer therapeutic strategies against viral diseases.
- Understanding this interplay is key to combating viral pathogenesis.
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