title: The importance of mitochondrial DNA in aging and cancer.
abstract: Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in premature aging, age-related diseases, and tumor initiation and progression. Alterations of the mitochondrial genome accumulate both in aging tissue and tumors. This paper describes our contemporary view of mechanisms by which alterations of the mitochondrial genome contributes to the development of age- and tumor-related pathological conditions. The mechanisms described encompass altered production of mitochondrial ROS, altered regulation of the nuclear epigenome, affected initiation of apoptosis, and a limiting effect on the production of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides.
authors.affiliation: Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Desler
authors.forename: Maiken Lise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marcker
authors.forename: Keshav K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Lene Juel
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Rasmussen