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Mitochondrial involvement in the ageing process. Facts and controversies

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Abstract

Mitochondria are believed to be involved in human ageing. Whilst it is clear that various mitochondrial DNA mutations do accumulate in human tissues with age, whether or not they interfere with respiratory chain function is uncertain. We question the results of previous studies which have measured respiratory chain function in human skeletal muscle with age. Whilst cytochrome c oxidase deficient fibres are a real finding in skeletal muscle, the contribution of mitochondrial DNA mutations to human ageing is still controversial. Our results show for mitochondria to be involved in ageing then it must be through a more subtle mechanism than a global decline in respiratory chain function. (Mol Cell Biochem 174: 325–328, 1997)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, The Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Elizabeth J. Brierley & Douglass M. Turnbull

  2. Department of Geriatric Medicine, The Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Elizabeth J. Brierley & Oliver F.W. James

  3. Department of Neurobiology, The Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Margaret A. Johnson

Authors
  1. Elizabeth J. Brierley
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  2. Margaret A. Johnson
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  3. Oliver F.W. James
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  4. Douglass M. Turnbull
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Brierley, E.J., Johnson, M.A., James, O.F. et al. Mitochondrial involvement in the ageing process. Facts and controversies. Mol Cell Biochem 174, 325–328 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006847319162

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