Oxidative stress, mitochondria and mtDNA-mutator mice

La Dora V. Thompson

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

The oxidative stress theory of aging, an expansion of the mitochondrial theory of aging, is based around the idea of a vicious cycle, in which somatic mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) provoke respiratory chain dysfunction leading to enhanced ROS production and in turn to the accumulation of further mtDNA mutations. Mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA mutations are amplified during the course of aging. Recently, results obtained from mtDNA-mutator mice further strengthen the role of mitochondria in the aging process. However, lack of increased oxidative stress in the mtDNA-mutator mice raises doubts in the direct connection of mtDNA mutations with increased ROS production, challenging the oxidative stress theory of aging. The purpose of this short review is to highlight several studies that provide direct evidence that accelerated aging is linked to mtDNA mutations, without an increase in oxidative damage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1220-1222
Number of pages3
JournalExperimental Gerontology
Volume41
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Mitochondrial DNA
  • Oxidative stress
  • mtDNA mutations
  • mtDNA-mutator mice

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Oxidative stress, mitochondria and mtDNA-mutator mice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this