Fig. 3: Flavivirus infection induces markers of mitochondrial stress.
From: Flaviviruses manipulate mitochondrial processes to evade the innate immune response
Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and mtDNA release are markers of mitochondrial stress. ZIKV, WNV, JEV, DENV, and TBEV infection disrupt the MMP (H+ proton leakage), leading to mitochondrial depolarization and downstream effects on ATP synthesis. For ZIKV, this is mediated by NS4A, and for WNV, by the capsid protein. Infection by ZIKV, JEV, DENV, and TBEV also leads to the production and accumulation of mitochondrial ROS. ZIKV and DENV infection promotes the release of mtDNA into the cytoplasm, where it is sensed by pattern recognition receptors like cGAS-STING, leading to innate immune response activation. Superscripts refer to reference numbers.
