Peroxisome Plasticity at the Virus–Host Interface

Abstract

Peroxisomes are multifunctional organelles with roles in cellular metabolism, cytotoxicity, and signaling. The plastic nature of these organelles allows them to respond to diverse biological processes, such as virus infections, by remodeling their biogenesis, morphology, and composition to enhance specific functions. During virus infections in humans, peroxisomes act as important immune signaling organelles, aiding the host by orchestrating antiviral signaling. However, more recently it was discovered that peroxisomes can also benefit the virus, facilitating virus–host interactions that rewire peroxisomes to support cellular processes for virus replication and spread. Here, we describe recent studies that uncovered this double-edged character of peroxisomes during infection, highlighting mechanisms that viruses have coevolved to take advantage of peroxisome plasticity. We also provide a perspective for future studies by comparing the established roles of peroxisomes in plant infections and discussing the promise of virology studies as a venue to reveal the uncharted biology of peroxisomes.

Integrative Imaging Reveals SARS-CoV-2-Induced Reshaping of Subcellular Morphologies

“…Consistently, super-resolution microscopy revealed an enclosing of the dsRNA signal by the peroxisomal signal (Figure S3F), supporting the topology observed by electron tomography (Figures 4A-4C). The spatial proximity between peroxisomes and the sites of viral RNA replication (Figures S3A and S3B) argues for a role of peroxisomes in the SARS-CoV-2 replication cycle such as the prevention of oxidative damage to viral RNA or an involvement in lipid metabolism (Cook et al, 2019) or serving as signaling platform mounting a cytokine response (Dixit et al, 2010).…”

Coronavirus-Induced Host Cubic Membranes and Lipid-Related Antiviral Therapies: A Focus on Bioactive Plasmalogens

“…The endogenous biosynthesis of plasmalogens requires functional peroxisomes in almost all the eukaryotes. Peroxisomes are the important host organelles where certain viral replication may take place ( Cook et al, 2019 ). Peroxisome plasticity in virus-host interaction and its role as double-edged sword in multiple viruses’ infections have attracted great attention recently.…”

“…The first step of virus life cycle is to enter the host cells by crossing the plasma membrane, where the lipid composition might be very crucial. Upon viral infections in humans, peroxisomes act as vital immune signaling organelles, aiding the host by orchestrating antiviral signaling ( Cook et al, 2019 ). Peroxisomes are critical host organelles emerging as a double-edged sword during the progression of viral infections.…”

Peroxisomal Membrane Contact Sites in Mammalian Cells

“…In addition, peroxisomes are involved in the production and decomposition of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is partly coupled to the above peroxisomal metabolic pathways. Peroxisomes can serve as signaling platforms for antiviral innate immunity ( Cook et al, 2019 ), and ROS modulated mTORC1 activity ( Zhang et al, 2013 , 2015 ).…”