Repair of mitochondrial DNA in aging and carcinogenesis
Mark Berneburg1, York Kamenisch, Jean Krutmann
1Molecular Oncology and Aging, Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Liebermeisterstrasse 25, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Mark.Berneburg@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Abstract:
Mitochondria are responsible for the generation of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate. These organelles contain their own genetic material, mitochondrial (mt) DNA. This mtDNA has been hypothesized to play a role in the processes of aging and carcinogenesis. Initial reports have shown that there is no repair of cyclobutylpyrimidine dimers (CPD). More recent reports indicate however, that the mitochondrion contains several defence mechanisms against endogenous or exogenous damaging agents such as ultraviolet radiation or oxidative damage. The role of these defence mechanisms in the removal of mitochondrial DNA damage and the link to aging and carcinogenesis-associated processes are discussed in this review.
Related Concept Videos
Mitochondria
Overview of DNA Repair
Chemically...
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Replication in Eukaryotes
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...

