Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to telomere attrition and genomic instability

L Liu, JR Trimarchi, PJS Smith, DL Keefe - Aging cell, 2002 - Wiley Online Library
L Liu, JR Trimarchi, PJS Smith, DL Keefe
Aging cell, 2002Wiley Online Library
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been implicated in cellular senescence,
apoptosis, aging and aging‐associated pathologies. Telomere shortening and genomic
instability have also been associated with replicative senescence, aging and cancer. Here
we show that mitochondrial dysfunction leads to telomere attrition, telomere loss, and
chromosome fusion and breakage, accompanied by apoptosis. An antioxidant prevented
telomere loss and genomic instability in cells with dysfunctional mitochondria, suggesting …
Summary
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been implicated in cellular senescence, apoptosis, aging and aging‐associated pathologies. Telomere shortening and genomic instability have also been associated with replicative senescence, aging and cancer. Here we show that mitochondrial dysfunction leads to telomere attrition, telomere loss, and chromosome fusion and breakage, accompanied by apoptosis. An antioxidant prevented telomere loss and genomic instability in cells with dysfunctional mitochondria, suggesting that reactive oxygen species are mediators linking mitochondrial dysfunction and genomic instability. Further, nuclear transfer protected genomes from telomere dysfunction and promoted cell survival by reconstitution with functional mitochondria. This work links mitochondrial dysfunction and genomic instability and may provide new therapeutic strategies to combat certain mitochondrial and aging‐associated pathologies.
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