University of Vienna scientists elucidated molecular mechanisms underpinning mitophagy initiation via transmembrane cargo receptors BNIP3 and NIX, detailing hierarchical flexibility in autophagy machinery recruitment. Published in Nature Cell Biology, the work expands understanding beyond the PINK1/Parkin pathway, highlighting distinct routes that organelle-localized receptors use to trigger selective mitochondrial degradation. These insights suggest potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s where mitophagy dysregulation is implicated.