[DNA damage and aging].
At present the mouse is the ideal experimental animal for studying molecular biological processes in human diseases. Premature aging occurred in mice with an induced mutation that resulted in a defective DNA repair mechanism. Compared to normal unmanipulated mice they exhibited characteristic symptoms of premature aging, such as premature greying, aging of the skin, osteoporosis, kyphosis, early menopause and a reduced longevity. Although these experiments only cover a small number of the many aging symptoms present in humans, it is nevertheless clear that DNA damaged by free oxygen radicals but which is not repaired, is an important cause of the onset of aging.
Molenaar
J C
JC
Erasmus Medisch Centrum, afd. Celbiologie en Genetica, Rotterdam. j.molenaar@erasmusmc.nl
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D019588:Aging, Premature / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics; D004260:DNA Repair; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D018384:Oxidative Stress