mitophagy

Term: mitophagy

Literally meaning: “ mitochondrial autophagy ”

Origin: Anc Greek

mitos (=thread)  + φάγω/phago(=eat)

Coined/History

The term coined by J.J. Lemasters in 2005

Source

 1. Lemasters, J.J., 2005. Selective mitochondrial autophagy, or mitophagy, as a targeted defense against oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and aging. Rejuvenation Res. 8 (1), 3–5.

 2. Tolkovsky AM,  Mitophagy. Biochem Biophys Acta   2009 Sep;1793(9):1508-15. Epub 2009 Mar 13.

Definition

Mitophagy is the selective removal of mitochondria by autophagy (The catabolic process of self-digestion through the lysosomal machinery)