SNX10 at the crossroad of endocytosis and piecemeal mitophagy

Mitophagy targets damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria for lysosomal degradation. While canonical mitophagy pathways target the whole mitochondria for lysosomal degradation, it has become clear that selected mitochondrial components can be targeted for lysosomal degradation via other pathways, such as piecemeal mitophagy or mitochondria-derived vesicles. In a recent study, we identified the PX domain-containing endosomal protein SNX10 as a negative modulator of piecemeal mitophagy. Endosomal SNX10-positive vesicles dynamically interact with mitochondria and acquire selected mitochondrial proteins upon hypoxia. Zebrafish larvae lacking Snx10 show elevated Cox-IV degradation, increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ROS-dependent neuronal death.