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PMID: 9309706 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

Mitochondrial involvement in the ageing process. Facts and controversies.

Molecular and cellular biochemistry ·Vol. 174 ·No. 1-2 ·1997-09-00 ·Pages 325-8

Brierley EJ, Johnson MA, James OF, Turnbull DM

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.

MeSH Terms
Aging/physiology Animals DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics Electron Transport Humans Mitochondria/physiology Mutation
Chemicals
DNA, Mitochondrial
Authors & Affiliations
4 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Brierley E J
Department of Neurology, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Johnson M A
James O F
Turnbull D M
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Article Info
Journal
Molecular and cellular biochemistry
Abbr.
Mol Cell Biochem
ISSN
0300-8177
Published
1997-09-00
Pages
325-8
Language
English
Region
Netherlands
NLM ID
0364456
Subset
IM
Grants
Wellcome Trust · United Kingdom
External Links
PubMed source View journal details
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