Methods to detect mitophagy in neurons during disease

J Neurosci Methods. 2019 Sep 1:325:108351. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108351. Epub 2019 Jul 9.

Abstract

Mitophagy is the selective degradation of mitochondria by autophagy. Methods to study mitophagy in neurons is of increasing importance as neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's display disrupted mitophagy as part of their pathogenesis. Since the last decade, researchers have determined how selective mitophagy pathways such as PINK1/Parkin and Mul1 function at the cellular level. Thus, advances in techniques to study these pathways specifically in neurons and glia have arisen. This review will introduce mitophagy pathways studied in neurons and evaluate current techniques available to investigate mitophagy.

Keywords: Mitophagy; Mul1; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurons; PINK1; Parkin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mitophagy / physiology*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnosis
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurosciences / methods*
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • parkin protein
  • Protein Kinases
  • PTEN-induced putative kinase