Prohibitins: emerging host targets of bacteria and viruses at the plasma membrane, mitochondria, and cytoplasm.

Ubiquitously expressed Prohibitin-1 (PHB1) and Prohibitin-2 (PHB2) serve pleiotropic functions in cellular processes, including signal transduction, mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics, and lipid raft formation. Located in phospholipid-rich subcellular sites such as the plasma membrane and mitochondrial inner membrane, PHB1 and PHB2 are emerging as important host targets for bacteria and viruses, influencing infection and host responses by these microbes. Here, we present the current understanding of PHB1 and PHB2 in bacterial and viral infection based on the cellular localization of PHBs at the plasma membrane, mitochondria, and cytoplasm. We also discuss the potential of targeting PHBs as therapeutics for bacterial and viral infections.