Figure 1.
A model for Nix-dependent mitochondrial autophagy. During terminal erythroid differentiation, maturation signals may activate Nix to signal into mitochondria to dissipate ΔΨm. The loss of the electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane may induce the differential display of molecules on the outer mitochondrial membrane. The interactions of these molecules on mitochondria with autophagosomal proteins may lead to selective sequestration of the depolarized mitochondria into autophagosomes.