Lipid droplets and viral infections

Methods Cell Biol. 2013:116:167-90. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-408051-5.00009-7.

Abstract

The lifecycle of several viruses is intimately tied to the lipid metabolism of their host cells, and lipid droplets (LDs) have emerged as crucial organelles in the propagation of these viral infections. Investigating the roles of LDs in viral infection requires expertise in both virology and cell metabolism pertaining to LDs. In this review, we offer an updated list and review of the multiples methods we have used in our laboratory to study both the role of LDs in viral infection and the effect of viral infection on cellular LDs, with a special emphasis on hepatitis C virus and other RNA viruses.

Keywords: Cell fractionation; DENV; HCV; Lipid droplets; Microscopy; Virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Dietary Fats / isolation & purification*
  • Dietary Fats / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Inclusion Bodies / chemistry
  • Inclusion Bodies / metabolism
  • Intestine, Small / metabolism*
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Triglycerides / isolation & purification
  • Triglycerides / metabolism*
  • Viruses

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Triglycerides