**4. SARS-CoV-2, the highjacker of host mitochondria**

A very interesting study focuses on yet another important aspect of COVID-19, that how 'the powerhouse of the cell' i.e. mitochondria are affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The non-structural proteins of the virus are translated from two open reading frames (ORFs), ORF1a ORF3a, ORF6a, ORFF7a, ORF8a and ORF1b present in the genomic RNA of the virus. ORF1ab is responsible for the production of spike (S) protein, the envelope proteins (E), the membrane proteins (M), and the nucleocapsid proteins (N) of the viral structure [24–26]. Host mitochondria play a crucial role in the host immunity against the viral infection. The viral RNA genome portions and proteins localization into the mitochondria results into its dysfunction and production of mitochondria derived double-membranous vesicles (MDV) which work as a site of viral safe-house for unchecked replication (**Figure 3**). The viral pathogenesis is amplified as the hijacked mitochondria induce inflammatory responses and decrease the effectiveness of innate and adaptive immune responses [25].

#### **Figure 3.**

*There is an important role played by the host mitochondria in the host immunity against the viral infection. The MDV's (mitochondria derived double-membranous vesicles) formed from the hijacked mitochondria are the sites of unchecked viral replication.*
