Hereditary mtDNA heteroplasmy: a baseline for aging?

Cell Metab. 2013 Oct 1;18(4):463-4. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2013.09.015.

Abstract

Do mtDNA mutations contribute to the aging process, or are they innocent bystanders? Ross et al. (2013) show that inherited mtDNA point mutations lead to a premature aging phenotype in mice and "prime" the maternal lineage, interacting with subsequent somatic mutations to cause brain malformations and shorten lifespan.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Brain / abnormalities*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Extrachromosomal Inheritance / genetics*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / genetics*
  • Mutation / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial