PINK1/Parkin mitophagy and neurodegeneration-what do we really know in vivo?
Published version
Peer-reviewed
Repository URI
Repository DOI
Change log
Authors
Abstract
Mitochondria are essential organelles that provide cellular energy and buffer cytoplasmic calcium. At the same time they produce damaging reactive oxygen species and sequester pro-apoptotic factors. Hence, eukaryotes have evolved exquisite homeostatic processes that maintain mitochondrial integrity, or ultimately remove damaged organelles. This subject has garnered intense interest recently following the discovery that two Parkinson's disease genes, PINK1 and parkin, regulate mitochondrial degradation (mitophagy). The molecular details of PINK1/Parkin-induced mitophagy are emerging but much of our insight derives from work using cultured cells and potent mitochondrial toxins, raising questions about the physiological significance of these findings. Here we review the evidence supporting PINK1/Parkin mitophagy in vivo and its causative role in neurodegeneration, and outline outstanding questions for future investigations.
Description
Keywords
Journal Title
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
1879-0380
Volume Title
Publisher
Publisher DOI
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00015/6)
European Research Council (309742)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00015/7)