---
title: What does mitochondria have to do with mitophagy?
description: What is mitophagy?  Which proteins are involved?  How is mitophagy regulated?  Learn more about how the cells handles damaged mitochondria!
image: https://blog.mblintl.com/hubfs/Mitophagy/mitophagy.jpg
---

**Please Note:** MBL International will be shutting down its operations effective December 31, 2024. Distribution of MBL products in the United States will be transferred to Cosmo Bio US on January 1st while European Distributors will remain unchanged. For any US inquiries regarding orders or support during this transition, reach out to Cosmo Bio: [https://www.cosmobiousa.com/](https://www.cosmobiousa.com/). For Non-US inquiries reach out to MBL in Japan: [https://www.mblbio.com/](https://www.mblbio.com/).

[Skip to the main content.](https://blog.mblintl.com/mitophagy#main-content)

- [Distributors](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/distributors)
- [Contact Us](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/contact-us)
- [Ordering Information](https://mblintl.com/ordering-information)
- [Login](https://products.mblintl.com/my-account/)
- [View Cart](https://products.mblintl.com/cart/)
- [**QUICK ORDER**](https://products.mblintl.com/my-account/orders/)

[![MLBI](https://blog.mblintl.com/hubfs/MLBI.svg "MLBI")](https://www.mblintl.com)

[![MLBI](https://blog.mblintl.com/hubfs/MLBI.svg "MLBI")](https://www.mblintl.com)

Search

*Search*

[Advanced MHC Tetramers Search](https://products.mblintl.com/advanced-mhc-tetramers-and-antibodies-search/)

Toggle Menu

- Products 
    - Product Type 
          - [Antibodies](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/antibody/)
          - [Cell Culture](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/cell-culture/)
          - [Kits](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/kit/)
          - [MHC Monomers](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/monomer/)
          - [MHC Tetramers](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/tetramer/)
          - [Peptides](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/peptide/)
          - [Purification/Separation](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/purification/)
          - [Reagents](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/reagent/)
          - [Recombinant Proteins](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/recombinant-protein/)
          - [Vectors](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/vector/)
          - [Western Reagents](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/western-reagent/)
    - Research Area 
          - [Apoptosis](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/apoptosis/)
          - [Fluorescent Proteins](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/fluorescent-proteins/)
          - [Autophagy](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/autophagy/)
          - [Immunology](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/immunology/)
          - [Cancer](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/cancer/)
          - [Metabolism](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/metabolism/)
          - [Drug Discovery](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/drug-discovery/)
          - [Neuroscience](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/neuroscience/)
          - [Epigenetics](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/epigenetics/)
          - [Organoids](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/organoid/)
          - [Epitope Tag](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/epitope-tag/)
          - [Purification/Separation](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/purification-separation/)
          - [Exosomes](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/exosomes/)
          - [Smart-IP](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/smart-ip/)
          - [Flow Cytometry](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/flow-cytometry/)
- MHC Tetramers & Monomers 
    - MHC Tetramers 
          - [MHC Class I](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/mhc-class-i)
          - [MHC Class II](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/mhc-class-ii)
          - [TCR Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/tcr-tetramers)
          - [Non-Classical MHC Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/non-classical-mhc-tetramers)
          - [HLA-E & Qa-1b](https://mblintl.com/hla-e-qa-1b-2)
          - [CD1d Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/non-classical-mhc-tetramers/cd1d)
    - MHC Monomers 
          - [MHC Monomers](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/monomer/)
          - [Tetramer Citations](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/mhc-tetramers/tetramer-citations)
          - [Peptides](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/peptide/)
          - [MHC Alleles list](https://mblintl.com/mhc-alelles-list)
          - [Custom MHC Tetramers and Monomers Order Form](https://mblintl.com/custom-mhc-tetramers-and-monomers-order-form-2)
          - [Custom Peptide Order Form](https://mblintl.com/custom-peptide-order-form)
    - Custom Tetramer Kits 
          - [QuickSwitch™ Custom Tetramer Kits](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/quickswitch-custom-tetramer-kits/)
          - [QuickSwitch™ Peptide Screening Kit](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/quickswitch-custom-tetramer-kits/quickswitch-peptide-screening-kit/)
          - [SARS-CoV-2 MHC-Peptide Screening Kit Bundles](https://mblintl.com/sars-cov-2-mhc-peptide-screening-kit-bundles-1)
- Research 
    - MHC Tetramers 
          - [Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/)
          - [Monomers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/monomers/)
          - [Class I](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/mhc-class-i/)
          - [Class II](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/mhc-class-ii/)
          - [Non-Classical Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/non-classical-mhc-tetramers/)
          - [TCR Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/tcr-tetramers/)
          - [CD1d Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/non-classical-mhc-tetramers/cd1d/)
          - [QuickSwitch™ Custom Tetramer Kit](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/quickswitch-custom-tetramer-kits/)
          - [QuickSwitch™ Peptide Screening Kit](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/quickswitch-custom-tetramer-kits/quickswitch-peptide-screening-kit/)
          - [SARS-CoV-2 Screening Bundles](https://mblintl.com/sars-cov-2-mhc-peptide-screening-kit-bundles-1)
          - [Immune Monitoring FAQ](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/faqs-immune-monitoring/)
          - [QuickSwitch™ FAQ](https://mblintl.com/resources/product-information/faqs-quickswitch/)
    - Research Area 
          - [Apoptosis](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/apoptosis/)
          - [Immuno-oncology](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/immuno-oncology)
          - [Autophagy](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/autophagy/)
          - [*In vivo* Isotype Control Antibodies](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/in-vivo-grade-isotype-controls/)
          - [Cancer](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/cancer/)
          - [Knockout Validated Antibodies](https://resources.mblintl.com/learning-center/research-area/knockout-antibodies)
          - [Cancer Neoantigens](https://mblintl.com/research/research-area/cancer-neoantigens)
          - [LC3](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/autophagy/lc3-atg8/)
          - [Cell Cycle Indicator](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/fluorescent-proteins/cell-cycle-indicator/)
          - [Metabolism](https://mblintl.com/research/research-area/metabolism)
          - [Drug Discovery](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/technologies/drug-discovery)
          - [Mitophagy Detection](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/fluorescent-proteins/mitophagy-detecton/)
          - [Epigenetics](https://mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/epigenetics)
          - [Neuroscience](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/neuroscience-reagents)
          - [Exosomes](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/exosomes/)
          - [Organoids](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/organoid_culture/)
          - [Fluorescent Proteins/Vectors](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/fluorescent-proteins/)
          - [PCSK9](https://resources.mblintl.com/research/research-area/pcsk9)
          - [IL 18](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/immunology/il-18)
          - [Purification/Separation](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/purification-separation)
          - [Immunology](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/immunology/)
          - [Western Blot Reagents](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/scientific-resources/fundamentals-for-planning-research/the-principle-and-method-of-western-blotting-wb/)
- Scientific Resources 
    -   
          - [MHC Tetramer Staining Guide](https://mblintl.com/tetramer-staining-guide-new-2021)
          - [Brochures](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/brochures/)
          - [Scientific Reports](https://resources.mblintl.com/scientific-resources/scientific-reports)
          - [Webinars](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/scientific-resources/webinars/)
    -   
          - [Scientific Posters](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/scientific-posters/)
          - [Pathway Posters](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/pathway-posters/)
          - [Blogs](https://blog.mblintl.com/)
          - [Videos](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/videos/)
    -   
          - [Tetramer Citations](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/tetramer-citations/)
          - [MBLI Product Publications](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/citations-publications)
          - [Fundamental Planning for Research](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/scientific-resources/fundamentals-for-planning-research/)
          - [FAQs](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/scientific-resources/faqs)
- About 
    - [Distributors](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/distributors)
    - [About Us](http://mblintl.com/about-mbli)
    - [Contact Us](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/contact-us)
    - [Support](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/overview/)
    - [Careers](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/careers)

Toggle Menu

Search

*Search*

- Products
  
  *Toggle Menu* 
  
    - Product Type
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [Antibodies](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/antibody/)
          - [Cell Culture](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/cell-culture/)
          - [Kits](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/kit/)
          - [MHC Monomers](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/monomer/)
          - [MHC Tetramers](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/tetramer/)
          - [Peptides](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/peptide/)
          - [Purification/Separation](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/purification/)
          - [Reagents](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/reagent/)
          - [Recombinant Proteins](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/recombinant-protein/)
          - [Vectors](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/vector/)
          - [Western Reagents](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/western-reagent/)
    - Research Area
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [Apoptosis](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/apoptosis/)
          - [Fluorescent Proteins](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/fluorescent-proteins/)
          - [Autophagy](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/autophagy/)
          - [Immunology](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/immunology/)
          - [Cancer](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/cancer/)
          - [Metabolism](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/metabolism/)
          - [Drug Discovery](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/drug-discovery/)
          - [Neuroscience](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/neuroscience/)
          - [Epigenetics](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/epigenetics/)
          - [Organoids](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/organoid/)
          - [Epitope Tag](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/epitope-tag/)
          - [Purification/Separation](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/purification-separation/)
          - [Exosomes](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/exosomes/)
          - [Smart-IP](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/smart-ip/)
          - [Flow Cytometry](https://products.mblintl.com/research-area/flow-cytometry/)
- MHC Tetramers & Monomers
  
  *Toggle Menu* 
  
    - MHC Tetramers
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [MHC Class I](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/mhc-class-i)
          - [MHC Class II](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/mhc-class-ii)
          - [TCR Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/tcr-tetramers)
          - [Non-Classical MHC Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/non-classical-mhc-tetramers)
          - [HLA-E & Qa-1b](https://mblintl.com/hla-e-qa-1b-2)
          - [CD1d Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/non-classical-mhc-tetramers/cd1d)
    - MHC Monomers
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [MHC Monomers](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/monomer/)
          - [Tetramer Citations](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/mhc-tetramers/tetramer-citations)
          - [Peptides](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/peptide/)
          - [MHC Alleles list](https://mblintl.com/mhc-alelles-list)
          - [Custom MHC Tetramers and Monomers Order Form](https://mblintl.com/custom-mhc-tetramers-and-monomers-order-form-2)
          - [Custom Peptide Order Form](https://mblintl.com/custom-peptide-order-form)
    - Custom Tetramer Kits
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [QuickSwitch™ Custom Tetramer Kits](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/quickswitch-custom-tetramer-kits/)
          - [QuickSwitch™ Peptide Screening Kit](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/quickswitch-custom-tetramer-kits/quickswitch-peptide-screening-kit/)
          - [SARS-CoV-2 MHC-Peptide Screening Kit Bundles](https://mblintl.com/sars-cov-2-mhc-peptide-screening-kit-bundles-1)
- Research
  
  *Toggle Menu* 
  
    - MHC Tetramers
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/)
          - [Monomers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/monomers/)
          - [Class I](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/mhc-class-i/)
          - [Class II](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/mhc-class-ii/)
          - [Non-Classical Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/non-classical-mhc-tetramers/)
          - [TCR Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/tcr-tetramers/)
          - [CD1d Tetramers](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/non-classical-mhc-tetramers/cd1d/)
          - [QuickSwitch™ Custom Tetramer Kit](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/quickswitch-custom-tetramer-kits/)
          - [QuickSwitch™ Peptide Screening Kit](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/quickswitch-custom-tetramer-kits/quickswitch-peptide-screening-kit/)
          - [SARS-CoV-2 Screening Bundles](https://mblintl.com/sars-cov-2-mhc-peptide-screening-kit-bundles-1)
          - [Immune Monitoring FAQ](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/faqs-immune-monitoring/)
          - [QuickSwitch™ FAQ](https://mblintl.com/resources/product-information/faqs-quickswitch/)
    - Research Area
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [Apoptosis](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/apoptosis/)
          - [Immuno-oncology](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/immuno-oncology)
          - [Autophagy](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/autophagy/)
          - [*In vivo* Isotype Control Antibodies](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/in-vivo-grade-isotype-controls/)
          - [Cancer](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/cancer/)
          - [Knockout Validated Antibodies](https://resources.mblintl.com/learning-center/research-area/knockout-antibodies)
          - [Cancer Neoantigens](https://mblintl.com/research/research-area/cancer-neoantigens)
          - [LC3](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/autophagy/lc3-atg8/)
          - [Cell Cycle Indicator](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/fluorescent-proteins/cell-cycle-indicator/)
          - [Metabolism](https://mblintl.com/research/research-area/metabolism)
          - [Drug Discovery](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/technologies/drug-discovery)
          - [Mitophagy Detection](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/fluorescent-proteins/mitophagy-detecton/)
          - [Epigenetics](https://mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/epigenetics)
          - [Neuroscience](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/neuroscience-reagents)
          - [Exosomes](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/exosomes/)
          - [Organoids](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/organoid_culture/)
          - [Fluorescent Proteins/Vectors](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/fluorescent-proteins/)
          - [PCSK9](https://resources.mblintl.com/research/research-area/pcsk9)
          - [IL 18](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/immunology/il-18)
          - [Purification/Separation](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/purification-separation)
          - [Immunology](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/research-area/immunology/)
          - [Western Blot Reagents](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/scientific-resources/fundamentals-for-planning-research/the-principle-and-method-of-western-blotting-wb/)
- Scientific Resources
  
  *Toggle Menu* 
  
    -  
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [MHC Tetramer Staining Guide](https://mblintl.com/tetramer-staining-guide-new-2021)
          - [Brochures](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/brochures/)
          - [Scientific Reports](https://resources.mblintl.com/scientific-resources/scientific-reports)
          - [Webinars](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/scientific-resources/webinars/)
    -  
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [Scientific Posters](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/scientific-posters/)
          - [Pathway Posters](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/pathway-posters/)
          - [Blogs](https://blog.mblintl.com/)
          - [Videos](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/videos/)
    -  
      
      *Toggle Menu* 
      
          - [Tetramer Citations](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/learning-center/mhc-tetramers/tetramer-citations/)
          - [MBLI Product Publications](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/product-information/citations-publications)
          - [Fundamental Planning for Research](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/scientific-resources/fundamentals-for-planning-research/)
          - [FAQs](https://blog.mblintl.com/resources/scientific-resources/faqs)
- About
  
  *Toggle Menu* 
  
    - [Distributors](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/distributors)
    - [About Us](http://mblintl.com/about-mbli)
    - [Contact Us](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/contact-us)
    - [Support](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/overview/)
    - [Careers](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/careers)

- [Distributors](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/distributors)
- [Contact Us](https://mblintl.com/about-mbli/contact-us)
- [Ordering Information](https://mblintl.com/ordering-information)
- [Login](https://products.mblintl.com/my-account/)
- [View Cart](https://products.mblintl.com/cart/)
- [**QUICK ORDER**](https://products.mblintl.com/my-account/orders/)

[*Facebook*](https://blog.mblintl.com/mitophagy#0) [*Instagram*](https://blog.mblintl.com/mitophagy#0) [*LinkedIn*](https://blog.mblintl.com/mitophagy#0) [*Twitter*](https://blog.mblintl.com/mitophagy#0) [*Youtube*](https://blog.mblintl.com/mitophagy#0) [*Medium*](https://blog.mblintl.com/mitophagy#0)

- [Home](https://blog.mblintl.com/)
- [Blogs](https://blog.mblintl.com)
- What does mitochondria have to do with mitophagy?

# What does mitochondria have to do with mitophagy?

### Topics

- Select Topic - 3D Cell Culture Advancements in Metabolism Research Allergy Antibodies Antibody Antibody Reagents Antibody-Peptide Conjugates Apoptosis Assay and Kits Autoimmune Disease Autophagy BRIC Benefits of Tetramer Assays Biomarker Cancer Cell Biology Cell Culture Reagents Cell Stabilization Custom Peptide Synthesis Cytokine Dextramer Staining Drug Discovery ELISA Epigenetics Epitope Tag Exosome Exosomes FCM Fc blocker Flow Cytometry Flow Cytometry Antibodies Fluoppi Fluorescent Proteins Future of Tetramer Technology Gastric Inhibitory Peptide Gene Regulation Gene Therapy Green Fluorescent Protein IL-18 Immune Response Immunology Inflammation Isotype Control Kits and Assays LC3 Liquid Biopsy MHC MHC Alleles MHC Class II Tetramers MHC Peptides Contribute MHC Tetramer MHC Tetramer Protocol MHC tetramer advancements Metabolism Mitophagy NCP Neuroscience Neuroscience Reagents Organoid PCSK9 PCSK9 ELISA Kit Peptide Peptide Exchange Peptide Synthesis Methods Peptide Synthesis Service Peptide-Infused Skin Care Products Preservation Purify exosome Quality Control QuickSwitch Quickswitch™ Custom Tetramer Kits RBP RIP Chip RNA Recombinant Protein Production Recombinant Proteins Regulation RiboTrap S100 Proteins SARS-CoV-2 T-Cell Detection TCR Tetramers Tetramer Tetramer Analysis Tetramer Assay Tetramer Assay Protocol Tetramer Staining TransFix Vectors Western Reagents atg8 covid-19 gfp keima red kinases mitochondria cell death p62 pathways phosphorylation pro IL-18 reagents rfp t cell tuberculosis ultracentrifugation vaccine

### Top Posts

### Subscribe to our Blogs

Published by [Bindi M. Doshi, PhD](https://blog.mblintl.com/author/bindi-m-doshi-phd) on Sep 20, 2016 11:42:36 AM

![](https://blog.mblintl.com/hubfs/Mitophagy/mitophagy.jpg)

 What is mitophagy? It is when damaged mitochondria are removed from the cell by autophagy.  The damaged mitochondria end up in lysosomes for their final disposal.  This whole process is to maintain and assure proper cellular function.   The importance of this biological process is that it has been implicated in disease states such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

There are two proteins involved with mitophagy, Parkin and PINK1. These proteins have been found mutated in early onset Parkinson’s Disease.  If the pathway for maintaining mitochondria is deficient, the onset of disease occurs.  PINK1 is one of the first to detect if there is a problem with the mitochondrial membrane.  PINK1 will go on to recruit Parkin, which only binds to damaged mitochondria1.  It is thought that Parkin induces mitophagy by ubiquitinating the outer mitochondrial membrane and recruiting other proteins.  At this point, the damaged mitochondria is encompassed by the autophagosome, and subsequently fuses with lysosomes for degradation. 

 

An interesting method for observing mitophagy is by using live cell imaging. MBL has created a [vector](https://products.mblintl.com/products/am-v0251-np) that combines Keima-Red (fluorescent protein) and Parkin.  Using this one vector, you can now observe mitophagy occurring in real time.  Keima has an excitation spectra that changes with pH.  It changes from 440nm wavelength in a neutral environment to 586nm in an ecidic environment.  Using vector [MT-mKeima-Red](https://products.mblintl.com/?s=keima-red&post_type=product&title=1&excerpt=1&content=1&categories=1&attributes=1&tags=1&sku=1&orderby=rating-DESC&ixwps=1) and drug treatment, one can visualize before and after effects of mitophagy. 

 

![](https://blog.mblintl.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mitophagy/mitophagy2.jpg?width=629&height=285&name=mitophagy2.jpg "mitophagy2.jpg")

The figure below shows the effects of CCCP and oligomycin, drugs that affect mitochondrial membrane potential. Through mitophagy induction, the mitochondria-localized MT-mKeima-Red is displayed in red in ratio images showing its localization in an acidic environment (B-B”). The neutralizer NH4Cl is then administered, which forces the entire cell into a neutral environment and the image turns to blue (C-C”). The results agree with findings where the progression of mitophagy causes mitochondria to be engulfed in lysosomes when in an acidic environment2.

![](https://blog.mblintl.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mitophagy/mitophagy.jpg?width=407&height=302&name=mitophagy.jpg "mitophagy.jpg")

 

Find [more](https://products.mblintl.com/?s=keima-red&post_type=product&title=1&excerpt=1&content=1&categories=1&attributes=1&tags=1&sku=1&orderby=rating-DESC&ixwps=1) information for how MBLI can help your mitophagy needs today!

 

1. [Jin, S. M., and R. Youle J. "PINK1- and Parkin-mediated Mitophagy at a Glance." *Journal of Cell Science* 125.4 (2012): 795-99.  ](http://jcs.biologists.org/content/joces/125/4/795.full.pdf)

2.[ Bingol, Baris, Joy Tea S., Lilian Phu, Mike Reichelt, Corey Bakalarski E., Qinghua Song, Oded Foreman, Donald Kirkpatrick S., and Morgan Sheng. "The Mitochondrial Deubiquitinase USP30 Opposes Parkin-mediated Mitophagy." *Nature* 510 (2014): 370-375.](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v510/n7505/fig_tab/nature13418_SF3.html)                                                                                                  

 

Tags: [Mitophagy](https://blog.mblintl.com/topic/mitophagy), [Autophagy](https://blog.mblintl.com/topic/autophagy), [mitochondria cell death](https://blog.mblintl.com/topic/mitochondria-cell-death), [keima red](https://blog.mblintl.com/topic/keima-red)

---

[Back to Blog](https://blog.mblintl.com)

---

### Comments Or Suggestions

## Related Articles

### Sign up for our latest news and promotions. [![SIGN UP](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/424171/d32f72bb-0a07-486f-b8c5-1a2cb67d95fb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/424171/d32f72bb-0a07-486f-b8c5-1a2cb67d95fb)

##### Research Products

- - [Antibodies](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/antibody/)
    - [Cell Culture](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/cell-culture/)
    - [Kits](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/kit/)
    - [MHC Tetramers](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/tetramer/)
    - [MHC Monomers](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/monomer/)
    - [Peptides](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/peptide/)
- - [Reagents](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/reagent/)
    - [Recombinant Proteins](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/recombinant-protein/)
    - [Purification/Separation](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/purification/)
    - [Vectors](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/vector/)
    - [Western Reagents](https://products.mblintl.com/product-category/western-reagent/)

##### Contact Us

**MBL International**  
1201 Wiley Rd  
Suite 150  
Schaumburg, IL 60173  
USA

A JSR Life Sciences Company

##### Find Us On

[*Facebook*](https://www.facebook.com/pages/MBL-International-Corporation/313514772031567)[*LinkedIn*](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mbl-international)[*RSS*](https://blog.mblintl.com/)[*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/MBLICorp)

[![jsrls-logo-1](https://blog.mblintl.com/hubfs/Assets/jsrls-logo-1.svg)](https://blog.mblintl.com/)

- [Privacy Policy](https://products.mblintl.com/privacy-policy/)
- [Terms of Use](https://products.mblintl.com/legal/)
- [Sitemap](https://products.mblintl.com/site-map/)
- [Terms and Conditions of Sale](https://products.mblintl.com/terms-conditions/)

Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved

*Return to Top*