Monitoring mitophagy in mammalian cells

Methods Enzymol. 2014:547:39-55. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-801415-8.00003-5.

Abstract

It is essential for a cell to maintain a proper mitochondrial quality and quantity for normal cellular functions. Damaged or unwanted mitochondria can be selectively removed through mitophagy. Mitophagy research has attracted great attention from life sciences and biomedical fields, it is thus important for the community to properly measure mitophagy. Here, we will focus on the current techniques that have been used to monitor mitophagy in mammalian cells, including morphological and biochemical parameters for monitoring the occurrence of mitophagy.

Keywords: Autophagy; Electron microscopy; LC3; Mitophagy; Western blot.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western / methods
  • Ceramides / pharmacology
  • Fluorescent Dyes / analysis
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mammals
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitophagy* / drug effects
  • Molecular Biology / methods*
  • Molecular Probe Techniques

Substances

  • Ceramides
  • Fluorescent Dyes