Defects in Mitochondrial DNA Replication and Oxidative Damage in Muscle of mtDNA Mutator Mice
October 2014
in “
Free radical biology & medicine
”
alopecia graying of hair oxidative damage mitochondrial dysfunction mitochondrial DNA replication oxidative modifications antioxidants mitochondrial biogenesis DNA repair enzymes hair loss gray hair oxidative stress mitochondrial issues DNA replication oxidative changes antioxidant levels mitochondrial growth DNA repair
TLDR Defective mitochondrial DNA replication causes aging symptoms and increased oxidative damage in mice.
The study on mtDNA mutator mice (PolG mice) revealed that defects in mitochondrial DNA replication led to accelerated aging phenotypes such as systemic mitochondrial dysfunction, exercise intolerance, alopecia, graying of hair, spinal curvature, and premature death. Contrary to previous claims, the researchers found increased oxidative damage in the mitochondria of these mice, evidenced by oxidative modifications in proteins and DNA. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in antioxidants and the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis and DNA repair enzymes. These findings indicated that oxidative damage and maladaptive gene expression were linked to the aging-like symptoms caused by mitochondrial dysfunction in PolG mice.
