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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Visualizing Mitophagy with Fluorescent Dyes for Mitochondria and Lysosome
Published on: November 30, 2022
Mitophagy: Basic Mechanism and Potential Role in Kidney Diseases
Chengyuan Tang1, Liyu He1, Jing Liu1
1Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Background:
Mitochondria play fundamental roles in cellular metabolism, signaling, and viability. Disruption of mitochondria not only leads to dysfunction of the organelles but also activates mechanisms of cell injury and death, contributing to the pathogenesis of various diseases.
Summary:
Removal of damaged mitochondria is therefore crucial for cellular homeostasis and survival. Mitophagy, the selective elimination of mitochondria via autophagy, is an important mechanism of mitochondrial quality control in physiological and pathological conditions. Defects in mitophagy have been implicated in a variety of human disorders, including both acute and chronic kidney diseases. However, the role and regulatory mechanisms of mitophagy in kidney cells and tissues remain largely unknown.
Key Message:
This review provides updated information on mitophagy and suggests a potential role of mitophagy in renal pathophysiology.
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