Multiple age-associated mitochondrial DNA deletions in skeletal muscle of mice

Aging (Milano). 1994 Jun;6(3):193-200. doi: 10.1007/BF03324239.

Abstract

Multiple mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions have been associated with aging in humans and monkeys. Since the inbred mouse strain, C57BL/6, has been extensively studied gerontologically, we sought to investigate its utility as a model for examining the importance of mtDNA deletions in aging. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we analyzed hind limb skeletal muscle from mice of three age groups (5, 16 and 25 months) for the presence of age-associated mtDNA deletions. We observed multiple mtDNA deletions in all three age groups. Further, the number of deletions detected per mouse increased greatly with advancing age.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence*
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Deletion*

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial