What is Mitophagy?

Mitophagy is a type of autophagy that selectively degrades mitochondria, and is involved in the turnover of damaged mitochondria. This process is thought to defend the body from diseases resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction. The Parkinson’s disease gene product, Parkin (ubiquitin ligase), plays a critical role in the induction of mitophagy. Parkin is recruited to the outer membrane of damaged and depolarized mitochondria. Ubiquitin is subsequently added to the outer membrane of damaged mitochondria by the ubiquitin ligase activity of Parkin. Mitophagy is induced through the recognition of the ubiquitin modification.