Mitochondrial clearance: mechanisms and roles in cellular fitness

Mitophagy is one of the selective autophagy pathways that catabolizes dysfunctional or superfluous mitochondria. Under mitophagy-inducing conditions, mitochondria are labeled with specific molecular landmarks recruit machinery to surface mitochondria, enclosed into autophagosomes, and delivered lysosomes (vacuoles in yeast) for degradation. As damaged major sources reactive oxygen species, mitophagy critical mitochondrial quality control cellular health. Moreover, appropriate quantity via vital energy supply-demand balance cells whole organisms, cell differentiation, developmental programs. Thus, it seems conceivable defects could elicit pleiotropic pathologies such as excess inflammation, tissue injury, neurodegeneration, aging. In this review, we will focus on basis physiological relevance mitophagy, potential a therapeutic target overcome disorders.