Virus-induced changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics as potential targets for therapy

► Viral biogenesis depends on energy and metabolic resources provided by the host. ► Mitochondrial bioenergetics is modulated by viral replication. ► Mitochondrial ATP production, apoptosis, innate immune responses are mitochondrial functions modulated by viral infections. ► Metabolic antagonists may help understand the pathogenesis of viral diseases. Infectious diseases such as those caused by virus, account for a vast proportion of deaths worldwide. Re-emerging aspects of host–virus interactions in recent literature include the vital role played by host metabolism on viral replication and the pro-active participation of mitochondria in this process. Different viruses use distinctive strategies to modulate mitochondrial bioenergetics and enhance viral replication. As a result, energy yielding metabolic pathways are programmed to provide both energy and biosynthetic resources to drive viral protein synthesis and produce infectious particles. Therefore, metabolic antagonists may prove important not only to outline efficient therapy strategies but also to shed light on the pathogenesis of viral infections. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Bioenergetic dysfunction, adaptation and therapy.