Emerging roles of peroxisomes in viral infections

Peroxisomes, essential subcellular organelles that fulfill important functions in lipid and reactive oxygen species metabolism, have recently emerged as key players during viral infections. Their importance for the establishment of the cellular antiviral response has been highlighted by numerous reports of specific evasion of peroxisome-dependent signaling by different viruses. Recent data demonstrate that peroxisomes also assume important proviral functions. Here, we review and discuss the recent advances in the study of the diverse roles of peroxisomes during viral infections, from animal to plant viruses, and from basic to translational perspectives. We further discuss the future development of this emerging area and propose that peroxisome-related mechanisms represent a promising target for the development of novel antiviral strategies.

Automated summary

Peroxisomes, essential subcellular organelles, play crucial roles in lipid and reactive oxygen species metabolism, and have recently been recognized as key players in viral infections. They are involved in both cellular antiviral response and proviral functions. Targeting peroxisome-related mechanisms may represent a promising strategy for the development of novel antiviral approaches in the future.