In studies on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), it was found that HIF-1α-BNIP3 can induce mitophagy in HK-2 cells, inhibit apoptosis and ROS production in AKI, thereby exerting a protective effect on the kidney [25]. The gene discussed is BNIP3; the disease is acute kidney injury.