Figure 2. BNIP3L functions independently of BCL-XL. Mitochondrial clearance is assessed in mice that are deficient for BNIP3L (Bnip3l−/− KO); BNIP3L and BAK (Bnip3l−/−;Bak−/− DKO); and BNIP3L, BAX, BAK and BCL-XL (Bnip3l−/−;Baxfl/fl;Bak−/−;BclXfl/fl QKO). Deletion of floxed genes is driven by an MMTV-Cre transgene, and is highly efficient in the erythroid lineage (see western blot in this figure). Erythrocytes were stained with MTR and thiazole orange, which stains nucleic acids in nascent reticulocytes. Mitochondrial clearance is assessed in the thiazole orange negative fraction. Western blots are of WT, DKO and QKO reticulocytes probed for BNIP3L, BAX, BAK, BCL-XL. GAPDH and SDHB are loading controls.