Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
06:05
An In Vitro Approach to Study Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Cybrid Model
Published on: March 9, 2022
4.4K
Cellular Titanomachy: Viral Forces Clash with Mitochondrial Power
Théo Defresne1,2, Rodolphe Suspène1, Jean-Pierre Vartanian1
1Virus and Cellular Stress Unit, Department of Virology, Université Paris Cité, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France;
Annual Review of Virology
|September 25, 2025
Summary
Viruses hijack mitochondria for replication and immune evasion by altering mitochondrial dynamics, metabolism, and apoptosis. Understanding these viral strategies offers new therapeutic targets for mitigating infection.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mitochondria are crucial for cellular energy, metabolism, and immune responses.
- Viruses frequently target mitochondria to facilitate their life cycle and evade host defenses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted mechanisms by which viruses manipulate mitochondrial functions.
- To explore the implications of these interactions for viral pathogenesis and host immunity.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on viral-mitochondrial interactions.
- Analysis of viral strategies affecting mitochondrial dynamics, metabolism, apoptosis, and immune signaling.
Main Results:
- Viruses disrupt mitochondrial dynamics (fission/fusion, mitophagy) and reprogram metabolism (oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis).
- Viral manipulation extends to regulating apoptosis, inducing oxidative stress, and interfering with mitochondrial antiviral immunity.
- Key viral tactics include altering mitochondrial dynamics, metabolism, apoptosis, and innate immune signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Viral exploitation of mitochondria is a complex interplay affecting cellular homeostasis and immunity.
- Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction presents a promising therapeutic avenue for antiviral strategies.
- Further research into these interactions can reveal novel targets for enhancing cellular resilience against viral infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:45Mitochondrial Membranes
16.6K
A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
16.6K
01:28The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
4.5K
The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria. In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
4.5K
01:19Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
12.3K
Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
12.3K
01:37Mitochondria
19.6K
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
19.6K
01:46Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
18.4K
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
18.4K
02:59Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
9.0K
Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
9.0K