Hepatitis C virus induces the mitochondrial translocation of Parkin and subsequent mitophagy

PLoS Pathog. 2013 Mar;9(3):e1003285. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003285. Epub 2013 Mar 28.

Abstract

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) induces intracellular events that trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and promote host metabolic alterations. Here, we investigated selective autophagic degradation of mitochondria (mitophagy) in HCV-infected cells. HCV infection stimulated Parkin and PINK1 gene expression, induced perinuclear clustering of mitochondria, and promoted mitochondrial translocation of Parkin, an initial event in mitophagy. Liver tissues from chronic HCV patients also exhibited notable levels of Parkin induction. Using multiple strategies involving confocal and electron microscopy, we demonstrated that HCV-infected cells display greater number of mitophagosomes and mitophagolysosomes compared to uninfected cells. HCV-induced mitophagy was evidenced by the colocalization of LC3 puncta with Parkin-associated mitochondria and lysosomes. Ultrastructural analysis by electron microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy also displayed engulfment of damaged mitochondria in double membrane vesicles in HCV-infected cells. The HCV-induced mitophagy occurred irrespective of genotypic differences. Silencing Parkin and PINK1 hindered HCV replication suggesting the functional relevance of mitophagy in HCV propagation. HCV-mediated decline of mitochondrial complex I enzyme activity was rescued by chemical inhibition of mitophagy or by Parkin silencing. Overall our results suggest that HCV induces Parkin-dependent mitophagy, which may have significant contribution in mitochondrial liver injury associated with chronic hepatitis C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / virology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Silencing
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity
  • Hepacivirus / physiology*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / metabolism
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver / virology
  • Mitochondria, Liver / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria, Liver / virology
  • Mitophagy / physiology*
  • Phagosomes / metabolism
  • Phagosomes / ultrastructure
  • Phagosomes / virology
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Transport
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • parkin protein
  • Protein Kinases
  • PTEN-induced putative kinase