LAUSR

AIMS Well-controlled mitochondrial homeostasis, including a mitochondria-specific form of autophagy (hereafter referred to as mitophagy), is essential for maintaining cardiac function. The molecular mechanism mediating mitophagy during PO is poorly understood. We have shown previously that mitophagy in the heart is mediated primarily by Atg5/Atg7-independent mechanisms, including Unc-51-like kinase1 (Ulk1)-dependent alternative mitophagy, during myocardial ischemia. Here, we investigated the role of alternative mitophagy in the heart during PO-induced hypertrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS Mitophagy was observed in the heart in response to transverse aortic constriction (TAC), peaking at 3-5 days. Whereas mitophagy is transiently upregulated by TAC through an Atg7-dependent mechanism in the heart, peaking at 1 day, it is also activated more strongly and with a delayed time course through an Ulk1-dependent mechanism. TAC induced more severe cardiac dysfunction, hypertrophy and fibrosis in ulk1 cardiac specific knock-out (cKO) mice than in wild type mice. Delayed activation of mitophagy was characterized by the co-localization of Rab9 dots and mitochondria and phosphorylation of Rab9 at Ser179, major features of alternative mitophagy. Furthermore, TAC-induced decreases in the mitochondrial aspect ratio were abolished and the irregularity of mitochondrial cristae was exacerbated, suggesting that mitochondrial quality control mechanisms are impaired in ulk1 cKO mice in response to TAC. TAT-Beclin 1 activates mitophagy even in Ulk1-deficient conditions. TAT-Beclin 1 treatment rescued mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiac dysfunction in ulk1 cKO mice during PO. CONCLUSIONS Ulk1-mediated alternative mitophagy is a major mechanism mediating mitophagy in response to PO and plays an important role in mediating mitochondrial quality control mechanisms and protecting the heart against cardiac dysfunction. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Heart failure is often accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes. Elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria by mitochondria-specific forms of autophagy, termed mitophagy, is a crucial mechanism for maintaining mitochondrial function in the stressed heart. We discovered that an unconventional form of mitophagy mediated through an Atg7-independent and Ulk1- and Rab9-dependent mechanism is a predominant form of mitophagy in the heart in response to pressure overload. Interventions to restore mitophagy by stimulating the signaling mechanism of the Ulk1-Rab9-dependent mitophagy should delay the development of heart failure in patients with increased afterload.