Cited by 1,441Mitochondrial Function and PathologyGenetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model OrganismsAutophagy in Disease and Therapy

The mitochondrial basis of aging

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Sun, Nuo, Youle, Richard J., Finkel, Toren·2016·Molecular Cell

Abstract

A decline in mitochondrial quality and activity has been associated with normal aging and correlated with the development of a wide range of age-related diseases. Here, we review the evidence that a decline in mitochondria function contributes to aging. In particular, we discuss how mitochondria contribute to specific aspects of the aging process, including cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, and the age-dependent decline in stem cell activity. Signaling pathways regulating the mitochondrial unfolded protein response and mitophagy are also reviewed, with particular emphasis placed on how these pathways might, in turn, regulate longevity. Taken together, these observations suggest that mitochondria influence or regulate a number of key aspects of aging and suggest that strategies directed at improving mitochondrial quality and function might have far-reaching beneficial effects.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.molcel.2016.01.028

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  • Longstanding evidence suggests decline in mitochondrial function with aging may contribute to age-associated dysregulation in energy homeostasis and increased predisposition to age-related diseases.

    “There is longstanding evidence that the decline in mitochondrial function with aging, may contribute to age-associated dysregulation in energy homeostasis and increased predisposition to age-related diseases”

    From Benefits of Metformin in Attenuating the Hallmarks of Aging (2020) · cites this paper as Sun et al. 2016

  • In yeast and animals, mitochondrial dysfunction increases with age and may contribute to aging progression.

    “For example, in yeast and animals, mitochondrial dysfunction increases with age and may contribute to the progression of aging (Sun et al., 2016).”

    From The Aging Epigenome (2016) · cites this paper as Sun et al., 2016

  • Disruption of mitochondrial activity, mtDNA mutations, and changes in mitochondrial biogenesis are functionally implicated in aging progression.

    “mutations in mtDNA, and changes inmitochondrial biogenesis have been functionally implicated in the progression of aging (reviewed by Sun et al., 2016).”

    From The Aging Epigenome (2016) · cites this paper as Sun et al., 2016

  • Mitochondrial turnover declines and mitochondrial dysfunction increases as cells age.

    “As cells age, mitochondrial turnover declines and mitochondrial dysfunction increases (Sun et al., 2016).”

    From The Aging Epigenome (2016) · cites this paper as Sun et al., 2016

  • Age-related changes in PGC-1α activity contribute to loss of mitochondrial biogenesis and function.

    “changes in the activity of the transcription activator PGC-1α with age contribute to the loss of mitochondrial biogenesis and function (Rera et al., 2011; Sun et al., 2016).”

    From The Aging Epigenome (2016) · cites this paper as Sun et al., 2016

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Authors
Sun, N., Youle, R. J., & Finkel, T.
Affiliations
National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
  • Youle, Richard J.
  • Finkel, Toren
Venue
Molecular Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-03
Volume
61
Issue
5
Pages
654-666
ISSN
1097-2765 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2289876562
Cited by
1,441
References
143
Citations by year
2026: 162 · 2025: 151 · 2024: 148 · 2023: 158 · 2022: 165 · 2021: 189 · 2020: 168 · 2019: 110 · 2018: 95 · 2017: 63 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 1
FWCI
8.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Soochow University
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (ZIAHL005012)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
Keywords
mitochondrial dysfunction, aging, cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, stem cell aging, mitochondrial unfolded protein response, mitophagy, longevity, age-related diseases, mitochondrial quality
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aging, Animals, Humans, Inflammation, Longevity, Mitochondria, Stem Cells, Signal Transduction, Cellular Senescence, Unfolded Protein Response, Mitophagy

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