Emerging role of mitophagy in myoblast differentiation and skeletal muscle remodeling

Mitochondrial turnover in the form of mitophagy is emerging as a central process in maintaining cellular function. The degradation of damaged mitochondria through mitophagy is particularly important in cells/tissues that exhibit high energy demands. Skeletal muscle is one such tissue that requires precise turnover of mito-chondria in several conditions in order to optimize energy production and prevent bioenergetic crisis. For instance, the formation of skeletal muscle (i.e., myogenesis) is accompanied by robust turnover of low -functioning mitochondria to eventually allow the formation of high-functioning mitochondria. In mature skel-etal muscle, alterations in mitophagy-related signaling occur during exercise, aging, and various disease states. Nonetheless, several questions regarding the direct role of mitophagy in various skeletal muscle conditions remain unknown. Furthermore, given the heterogenous nature of skeletal muscle with respect to various cellular and molecular properties, and the plasticity in these properties in various conditions, the involvement and characterization of mitophagy requires more careful consideration in this tissue. Therefore, this review will highlight the known mechanisms of mitophagy in skeletal muscle, and discuss their involvement during myo-genesis and various skeletal muscle conditions. This review also provides important considerations for the ac-curate measurement of mitophagy and interpretation of data in skeletal muscle.

Automated summary

Mitophagy, the degradation of damaged mitochondria, is essential for maintaining cellular function, especially in tissues with high energy demands. Skeletal muscle, a tissue requiring precise turnover of mitochondria, undergoes changes in mitophagy-related signaling during exercise, aging, and disease. However, the direct role of mitophagy in different skeletal muscle conditions remains unclear.