Reshaping and removing damaged mitochondria

How it works

Mitochondria help supply energy to cells, but damaged mitochondria must be removed. A cell can recognize a damaged mitochondrion, sometimes divide it into smaller pieces, and surround it with a membrane for degradation. This process is called mitophagy.

For mitophagy to work, the cell must mark what should be removed, gather the necessary proteins nearby and build a surrounding membrane. Proteins can sometimes form droplet-like groups called condensates, which concentrate the molecules needed for a reaction.

Large mitochondria may also need to change shape or divide before they can be enclosed. Our related studies explore both the molecular machinery that divides mitochondria and the proteins that assemble near them.

What we want to learn next

We want to understand how the rate of protein assembly and the physical properties of these condensates relate to mitochondrial reshaping and removal.

Related publications & press releases