Advances in the regulation of mitophagy

The mitochondrial respiratory chain is not only the main site for the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS),but also a prime target of oxidative damage by ROS.Under certain stresses,selective autophagy is more likely to play a role in the maintenance of cellular structures.The naintenance of a pool of healthy mitochondria is a crucial challenge for the cells.Inactivation of catalase and alteration of mitochondrial permeability properties have been shown to induce mitochondrial Autophagy.PINK1,Parkin,Mfn1,Mfn2 and OPA1 have been found to be involved in mitochondrial dynamics,including fusion,fission and mitophagy.Mitophagy may induce neurodegenerative diseases,including Parkinson' s,Alzheimer' s and Huntington ' s disease,which involve disruption of mitochondrial dynamics. Key words: Autophagy; Mitophagy; PINK1; Parkin; Mfn1; Mfn2; OPA1