Mitochondrial Genomic Disintegrity and Age-Related Diseases

The mitochondrial genome resides within mitochondria, the principal source of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and is thus exposed to far greater oxidative stress than nuclear DNA. The mitochondrial genome also demonstrates more intensive oxidative damage and a higher mutation rate than nuclear DNA. These facts are one reason for the age-related decline in the function of various tissues and organs. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is a principal constituent protein of the nucleoids that mitochondrial DNA forms and is essential for stabilization of mitochondrial DNA as a histone-like protein. In TFAM overexpression mice, potent inhibition of classic, age-related decreased nerve and motor function indicates that TFAM demonstrates an Anti-Aging effect by protecting mitochondrial DNA from oxidative damage.