Open AccessMitochondria and aging: A role for the mitochondrial transition pore?
Author(s) -
Panel Mathieu,
Ghaleh Bijan,
Morin Didier
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
aging cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1474-9726
pISSN - 1474-9718
DOI - 10.1111/acel.12793
Subject(s) - mitochondrial permeability transition pore , mitochondrion , biology , reactive oxygen species , microbiology and biotechnology , oxidative stress , organelle , mitochondrial fusion , mitochondrial ros , ageing , intracellular , programmed cell death , mitochondrial dna , biochemistry , apoptosis , genetics , gene
Summary The cellular mechanisms responsible for aging are poorly understood. Aging is considered as a degenerative process induced by the accumulation of cellular lesions leading progressively to organ dysfunction and death. The free radical theory of aging has long been considered the most relevant to explain the mechanisms of aging. As the mitochondrion is an important source of reactive oxygen species ( ROS ), this organelle is regarded as a key intracellular player in this process and a large amount of data supports the role of mitochondrial ROS production during aging. Thus, mitochondrial ROS , oxidative damage, aging, and aging‐dependent diseases are strongly connected. However, other features of mitochondrial physiology and dysfunction have been recently implicated in the development of the aging process. Here, we examine the potential role of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore ( mPTP ) in normal aging and in aging‐associated diseases.