title: Role of mitochondrial DNA in toxic responses to oxidative stress.
abstract: Mitochondria are at the crossroads of several crucial cellular activities including: adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation via oxidative phosphorylation; the biosynthesis of heme, pyrimidines and steroids; calcium and iron homeostasis and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Mitochondria also produce considerable quantities of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that in conjunction with its large iron stores can lead to a witch's brew of reactive intermediates capable of damaging macromolecules. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) represents a critical target for such oxidative damage. Once damaged, mtDNA can amplify oxidative stress by decreased expression of critical proteins important for electron transport leading to a vicious cycle of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and organellar dysregulation that eventually trigger apoptosis. Oxidative stress is associated with many human disorders including: cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, liver disease and neurodegenerative disease. This article reviews the evidence that oxidative damage to mtDNA can culminate in cell death and thus represents an important target for therapeutic intervention in a number of human diseases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. vanhout1@niehs.nih.gov
authors.forename: Bennett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Houten
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Woshner
authors.forename: Janine H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death; D004249:DNA Damage; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010766:Phosphorylation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D016877:Oxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002118:Calcium