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Updated: May 6, 2026

Sensitive Measurement of Mitophagy by Flow Cytometry Using the pH-dependent Fluorescent Reporter mt-Keima
Published on: August 12, 2018
MCL1 is critical for mitochondrial function and autophagy in the heart
Robert L Thomas1, Asa B Gustafsson
1Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA.
Abstract:
MCL1 (myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 [BCL2-related]) is an anti-apoptotic BCL2 family protein that is upregulated in several human cancers. In malignancies, overexpression of MCL1 promotes cell survival and confers chemotherapeutic resistance. MCL1 is also highly expressed in normal myocardium, but the functional importance of MCL1 in myocytes has not been explored. We recently discovered that MCL1 plays an essential role in myocardial homeostasis and autophagy. Here, we discuss how loss of MCL1 in the adult mouse heart leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired autophagy and development of heart failure.
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