title: Direct repeats in mitochondrial DNA and mammalian lifespan.
abstract: Mitochondria have long been suspected to be among the leading determinants of aging due to their functional importance and accelerated deterioration caused by accumulation of mutations in the mitochondrial DNA. Direct repeats are known to contribute to deletion formation in mtDNA and are a powerful source of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-independent mutagenesis. To evaluate the potential importance of homology-based deletion formation, we have analyzed the association between direct repeats in the mtDNA sequence and the lifespans of 65 mammalian species. Here, we report a significant negative correlation between the mutagenic potential of direct repeats and the mammalian lifespan, which is especially evident in closely related species.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, 3127 Scott Hall, 540 E. Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. mkhaidakov@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Magomed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khaidakov
authors.forename: Eric R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Shmookler Reis
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000378:metabolism; D017353:Gene Deletion; D008136:Longevity; D008322:Mammals; D008957:Models, Genetic; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009153:Mutagens; D009154:Mutation; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D009153:Mutagens; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species