Age-associated alterations of the mitochondrial genome.

Age-associated alterations of the mitochondrial genome occur in several different species; however, their physiological relevance remains unclear. The age-associated changes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) include nucleotide point mutations and modifications, as well as deletions. In this review, we summarize the current literature on age-associated mtDNA mutations and deletions and comment on their abundance. A clear need exists for a more thorough evaluation of the total damage to the mitochondrial genome that accumulates in aged tissues.