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The specific autophagic elimination of mitochondria

(mitophagy) plays the r=le of quality control for this organelle.

molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control are</=iv> described in detail, physiological or path=logical triggers of mitophagy are still =ot fully characterized. Here we show that the induction of mitophagy by the mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP is independent of the effect of mitochondrial membr=ne potential but dependent on acidificat=on of the cytosol by FCCP.

The ionophore=nigericin also reduces cytosolic pH and induces PINK1/PARKIN-dependent and -independent mitophagy. The increase of intracellular pH with monensin suppresses=the effects of FCCP and nigericin on mit=chondrial degradation.

Thus, a change in=intracellular pH is a regulator of mitochondrial quality control.