Degradation of paternal mitochondria via mitophagy

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta. General subjects Vol. 1865; no. 6; p. 129886
• Main Authors: Sasaki, Taeko, Sato, Miyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Allophagy; animal development; Caenorhabditis elegans; digestion; Fertilization; Maternal inheritance; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial DNA; Mitophagy; Allophagy; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial DNA; Fertilization; Mitophagy; Maternal inheritance
• ISSN: 0304-4165; 1872-8006; 1872-8006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.129886

In most sexually reproducing organisms, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally. In this review, we summarise recent knowledge on how paternal mitochondria and their mtDNA are selectively eliminated from embryos. Studies based on Caenorhabditis elegans have revealed that paternal mitochondria and their mtDNA are selectively degraded in embryos via mitophagy. Thus, mitophagy functions as the mechanisms of maternal inheritance of mtDNA. The mitophagy of paternal mitochondria is conserved in other species, and the underlying molecular mechanisms have begun to be elucidated. In addition to mitophagy, autophagy-independent digestion of paternal mtDNA before and after fertilization serves as another mechanism for maternal inheritance of mtDNA. Maternal inheritance of mtDNA is strictly controlled via multistep mechanisms. These studies also demonstrate a physiological role of mitophagy during animal development. •In most sexually reproducing organisms, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally.•Mitophagy of paternal mitochondria functions as the mechanisms of maternal inheritance of mtDNA•Digestion of paternal mtDNA before and after fertilization serves as another mechanism for maternal inheritance of mtDNA.