Hepatitis C virus core protein increases mitochondrial ROS production by stimulation of Ca2+ uniporter activity.

Many viruses have evolved mechanisms to alter mitochondrial function. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) produces a viral core protein that targets to mitochondria and increases Ca2+-dependent ROS production. The aim of this study was to determine whether core's effects are mediated by changes in mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Core expression caused enhanced mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in response to ER Ca2+ release induced by thapsigargin or ATP. It also increased mitochondrial superoxide production and mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). Incubating mouse liver mitochondria with an HCV core (100 ng/mg) in vitro increased Ca2+ entry rate by approximately 2-fold. Entry was entirely inhibited by the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter inhibitor, Ru-360, but not influenced by an Na+/Ca2+ exchanger inhibitor or ROS scavengers. These results indicate that core directly increases mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake via a primary effect on the uniporter. This enhanced the ability of mitochondria to sequester Ca2+ in response to ER Ca2+ release, and increased mitochondrial ROS production and MPT. Thus, the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter is a newly identified target for viral modification of cell function.