title: [Oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA: the result or consequence of enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species].
abstract: According to mitochondrial theory of ageing the ageing process results from accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. Close vicinity of mtDNA molecule to the source of reactive oxygen species, electron transport chain, potentiates degradation of nucleic acid chemical components. The most common types of mtDNA damage generated are point mutations as a result of oxidative modifications of purines and pyrimidines (transitions as well as transversions), but also deletions and rarely insertions. Since mtDNA codes for subunits of respiratory chain enzymes, its lesions can alter homeostasis of the cell resulting in a decrease of intracellular ATP. Growing evidence indicates the role of mtDNA mutations in elevated production of reactive oxygen species, which in turn are proved to increase the number of mtDNA mutations. This mechanism gave the basis for theory of a vicious cycle: ROS<-->mutations of mtDNA
authors.affiliation: Zakład Biologii Molekularnej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi, Plac Hallera 1, 91-647 Łódź. tomlodz@gmail.com
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Płoszaj
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robaszkiewicz
authors.forename: Henryk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Witas
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology*; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000502:physiology; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007655:Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D007655:Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex