Mitochondrial DNA mutations and apoptosis in mammalian aging.
Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) accumulate during aging, but their significance to longevity and age-associated disease has been uncertain. Recently, in support of the hypothesis that mtDNA integrity is important, we have shown that age-associated diseases arise more rapidly in mice where mtDNA mutations and increased levels of apoptosis occur at higher rates than normal due to expression of an error-prone mtDNA polymerase. Further studies in this model may provide deeper insights into the relationship between mitochondria, aging, and susceptibility to age-associated diseases, such as cancer.
Kujoth
Gregory C
GC
Department of Genetics and Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin, 425-G Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Leeuwenburgh
Christiaan
C
Prolla
Tomas A
TA
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial