title: The Mitochondrial Basis of Aging.
abstract: A decline in mitochondrial quality and activity has been associated with normal aging and correlated with the development of a wide range of age-related diseases. Here, we review the evidence that a decline in mitochondria function contributes to aging. In particular, we discuss how mitochondria contribute to specific aspects of the aging process, including cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, and the age-dependent decline in stem cell activity. Signaling pathways regulating the mitochondrial unfolded protein response and mitophagy are also reviewed, with particular emphasis placed on how these pathways might, in turn, regulate longevity. Taken together, these observations suggest that mitochondria influence or regulate a number of key aspects of aging and suggest that strategies directed at improving mitochondrial quality and function might have far-reaching beneficial effects.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Medicine, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Nuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Section, Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Electronic address: richard.youle@nih.gov.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Youle
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Medicine, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Electronic address: finkelt@nih.gov.
authors.forename: Toren
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Finkel
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008136:Longevity; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D063306:Mitophagy; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D056811:Unfolded Protein Response