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Mitochondrial DNA mutations and ageing

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Laura Greaves, Emeritus Professor Doug Turnbull

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Abstract

The mechanism by which we age has sparked a huge number of theories, and is an area of intense debate. As the elderly population rises, the importance of elucidating these mechanisms is becoming more apparent as age is the single biggest risk factor for a number of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative disease. Mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) mutations have been shown to accumulate in cells and tissues during the ageing process; however the question as to whether these mutations have a causal role in the ageing process remains an area of uncertainty. Here we review the current literature, and discuss the evidence for and against a causal role of mtDNA mutations in ageing and in the pathogenesis of age-related disease. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Greaves LC, Turnbull DM

Publication type: Review

Publication status: Published

Journal: Biochimica et biophysica acta - General subjects

Year: 2009

Volume: 1790

Issue: 10

Pages: 1015-1020

ISSN (print): 0304-4165

ISSN (electronic): 1872-8006

Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2009.04.018

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2009.04.018

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