Thendral et al. describe a mitophagic programme that removes deleterious mtDNA during the oocyte-to-zygote transition in Caenorhabditis elegans, promoting mitochondrial health and offspring survival. Loss of this mitophagy leads to mutant mtDNA accumulation.
- Siddharthan B. Thendral
- Sasha Bacot
- David R. Sherwood