Regulation and roles of mammalian mitophagy

Abstract

Mitochondria are essential metabolic and signalling hubs exposed to stress, and mitochondrial damage is highly detrimental to the cell. Mitophagy — the autophagy of mitochondria — is a key mechanism that maintains both mitochondrial integrity and metabolic flexibility. Mitophagy occurs via multiple pathways that either involve activation of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase Parkin, or are independent of PINK1 and Parkin. Recessive mutations in PINK1 and PKRN (the gene that encodes Parkin) cause early-onset Parkinson’s disease and have provided key mechanistic insights into mitophagy. However, emerging findings indicate that mitophagy is also executed by other molecular routes. Despite these molecular advances in mitophagy characterization, the physiological roles of these pathways in mammals and the specific contexts or conditions in which they operate remain poorly defined. This Review summarizes current understanding of PINK1–Parkin-dependent and independent mitophagy pathways, highlighting mechanistic distinctions and coordinated regulation. We also examine physiological and pathological triggers of mitophagy, as well as the expanding therapeutic potential of targeting mitophagy in disease. Mitophagy contributes to cellular homeostasis through the recycling of damaged mitochondria and precise control of mitochondrial numbers. In this Review, Martens and Ganley summarize the molecular mechanisms involved in mitophagy pathways, mitophagy regulation and roles in disease.