[Age-dependent mitochondrial DNA 4977bp depletion in human skeletal muscle].
OBJECTIVE
To explore depletion of human mitochondrial DNA 4977-bp and its relation with aging.


METHODS
Total DNA (nuclear and mtDNA) was extracted from 100mg muscle tissue. UV light illumination of ethidium bromide-stained PCR products was used to study the depletion of mtDNA (wild-type or mutant).


RESULTS
The proportions of mtDNA depletion in human skeletal muscle could be determined. The frequency of mtDNA 4977-bp depletion in different age groups (0-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90-99) was: 0%, 0%, 0.003%, 0.011%, 0.015%, 0.033%, 0.038%, 0.062%, 0.069%, and 0.091%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the frequency of the mtDNA4977 depletion in human skeletal muscle increases with age. It might be useful for human age estimation.
Zhang
You-Fang
YF
Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou 310053, China.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017931:DNA Primers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008931:Mitochondria, Muscle / Q000235:genetics*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D055815:Young Adult
D017931:DNA Primers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial