How does mitochondrial import machinery fine-tune mitophagy? Different paths and one destination

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Aug;34(8):427-429. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.05.005. Epub 2023 Jun 13.

Abstract

Given their polyvalent roles, an intrinsic challenge that mitochondria face is the continuous exposure to various stressors including mitochondrial import defects, which leads to their dysfunction. Recent work has unveiled a presequence translocase-associated import motor (PAM) complex-dependent quality control pathway whereby misfolded proteins mitigate mitochondrial protein import and subsequently elicit mitophagy without the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential.

Keywords: PINK1; TOM complex; mitochondrial import; mitochondrial quality control; mitophagy; protein quality control.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Mitochondria* / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitophagy*
  • Protein Transport

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Proteins