title: Reprint of "DNA, the central molecule of aging".
abstract: Understanding the molecular mechanism of aging could have enormous medical implications. Despite a century of research, however, there is no universally accepted theory regarding the molecular basis of aging. On the other hand, there is plentiful evidence suggesting that DNA constitutes the central molecule in this process. Here, we review the roles of chromatin structure, DNA damage, and shortening of telomeres in aging and propose a hypothesis for how their interplay leads to aging phenotypes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lenart
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, Center for Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. Electronic address: lkrejci@chemi.muni.cz.
authors.forename: Lumir
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krejci
keywords: Aging; Chromatin structure; DNA; DNA damage; DNA repair; Mutagenesis; Telomeres