View article

Mitochondria are highly dynamic and semi-autonomous organelles, essential for many fundamental cellular processes, including energy production, metabolite synthesis, ion homeostasis, lipid metabolism and initiation of apoptotic cell death. Proper mitochondrial physiology is a prerequisite for health and survival. Generation of new and removal of damaged or unwanted mitochondria are tightly controlled processes that need to be accurately coordinated for the maintenance of mitochondrial and cellular homeostasis. Mitophagy is a conserved, mitochondria-specific autophagic clearance process. An intricate regulatory network balances mitophagy with mitochondrial biogenesis. Proper coordination of these opposing processes is important for stress resistance and longevity. Age-dependent decline of mitophagy both inhibits removal of dysfunctional or superfluous mitochondria and impairs mitochondrial …