Mitochondrial DNA mutations and aging.

Mitochondria have been hypothesized to play a role in both aging and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease. Many studies have shown the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in post-mitotic tissues and more recent data have shown this also to be a feature of aging mitotic tissues. Much of this data has been correlative, until recently with the development of polymerase gamma deficient mice which accumulate high levels of mtDNA mutations and show a premature aging phenotype, that a more causative role has been proposed. This article focuses on recent developments in aging research into the role that mtDNA mutations play in the aging process.