Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

Visualizing Mitophagy with Fluorescent Dyes for Mitochondria and Lysosome
Published on: November 30, 2022
Mitochondrial fragmentation caused by phenanthroline promotes mitophagy
So Jung Park1, Ji Hyun Shin, Eun Sung Kim
1Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Gyeoggi-Do, South Korea.
Abstract:
Mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are thought to be important events for the quality control of mitochondria and mitochondria-associated diseases. To identify novel mitophagy modulators, we developed a cell-based screening system and selected 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) as a target molecule. Phen treatment highly induced mitochondrial fragmentation and mitochondrial dysfunctions in a Drp1 dependent manner. Phen treatment also increased autophagy. Moreover, prolonged exposure of Phen increased mitochondria clearance through mitophagy. Phen-mediated loss of mitochondrial mass was more reduced in ATG5 deficient cells than in wild type cells. In addition, down-regulation of Drp1 decreased autophagy activation, suggesting that mitochondrial fission is involved in Phen-mediated mitophagy. Thus, our results demonstrate that the disruption of mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial dysfunctions provokes mitophagy in Phen-treated cells.
Related Concept Videos
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins
Most of the mitochondrial precursors...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Mitochondrial Protein Sorting
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Mitochondria
Autophagic Cell Death
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...

