Mitochondrial membrane rupture allows prohibitin 2 to link bacteria and attract E3 ligase to trigger mitochondrial bacterial clearance

Mitochondrial injury serves as a critical checkpoint for antibacterial xenophagy.

• Outer mitochondrial membrane rupture leads to the release of PHB2, which binds to damaged mitochondria and bacteria.
• PHB2 interacts with bacterial proteins to facilitate the connection between damaged mitochondria and invading bacteria.
• The E3 ligases ARIH1 and PRKN/Parkin are recruited by PHB2, leading to auto-ubiquitination and formation of a polyubiquitin coat.
• This process initiates a localized co-autophagy mechanism, termed mito-xenophagy, which operates independently from conventional mitophagy.

Simplified