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Updated: Oct 9, 2025

In Vitro and In Vivo Detection of Mitophagy in Human Cells, C. Elegans, and Mice
Published on: November 22, 2017
BNIP3L/NIX-mediated mitophagy: molecular mechanisms and implications for human disease
Yue Li1, Wanqing Zheng1, Yangyang Lu1
1Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Mitophagy is a highly conserved cellular process that maintains the mitochondrial quantity by eliminating dysfunctional or superfluous mitochondria through autophagy machinery. The mitochondrial outer membrane protein BNIP3L/Nix serves as a mitophagy receptor by recognizing autophagosomes. BNIP3L is initially known to clear the mitochondria during the development of reticulocytes. Recent studies indicated it also engages in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we provide an overview of how BNIP3L induces mitophagy and discuss the biological functions of BNIP3L and its regulation at the molecular level. We further discuss current evidence indicating the involvement of BNIP3L-mediated mitophagy in human disease, particularly in cancer and neurological disorders.
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