title: Age-associated alterations of the mitochondrial genome.
abstract: Age-associated alterations of the mitochondrial genome occur in several different species; however, their physiological relevance remains unclear. The age-associated changes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) include nucleotide point mutations and modifications, as well as deletions. In this review, we summarize the current literature on age-associated mtDNA mutations and deletions and comment on their abundance. A clear need exists for a more thorough evaluation of the total damage to the mitochondrial genome that accumulates in aged tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weindruch
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aiken
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D004032:Diet; D004579:Electron Transport; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017354:Point Mutation; D017384:Sequence Deletion
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D009711:Nucleotides