Hayakawa et al (BBRC 226: 369-377) provide powerful new evidence
supporting the mitochondrial DNA/redox mechanism of ageing. Using a
total-deletion PCR system they demonstrate up to 358 different deletion
types including minicircles lacking replication origins ( do they
replicate and if so, how?). The age-related increase in the total types
of fragmented mtDNA correlates closely with general oxidative DNA damage
as measured by deoxynucleoside accumulation. Amazingly, in the oldes
individuals wild-type mtDNA was down to 11% of the total.
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URL http://numbat.murdoch.edu.au/spermatology/spermhp.html
