Cited by 244Mitochondrial Function and PathologyGenetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model OrganismsAutophagy in Disease and Therapy

Reconsidering the Role of Mitochondria in Aging

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Gonzalez-Freire, Marta, de Cabo, Rafael, Bernier, Michel, Sollott, Steven J., Fabbri, Elisa, Navas, Placido, Ferrucci, Luigi·2015·The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction has long been considered a major contributor to aging and age-related diseases. Harman's Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Aging postulated that somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations that accumulate over the life span cause excessive production of reactive oxygen species that damage macromolecules and impair cell and tissue function. Indeed, studies have shown that maximal oxidative capacity declines with age while reactive oxygen species production increases. Harman's hypothesis has been seriously challenged by recent studies showing that reactive oxygen species evoke metabolic health and longevity, perhaps through hormetic mechanisms that include autophagy. The purpose of this review is to scan the ever-growing literature on mitochondria from the perspective of aging research and try to identify priority questions that should be addressed in future research. METHODS: A systematic search of peer-reviewed studies was performed using PubMed. Search terms included (i) mitochondria or mitochondrial; (ii) aging, ageing, older adults or elderly; and (iii) reactive oxygen species, mitochondria dynamics, mitochondrial proteostasis, cytosol, mitochondrial-associated membranes, redox homeostasis, electron transport chain, electron transport chain efficiency, epigenetic regulation, DNA heteroplasmy. RESULTS: The importance of mitochondrial biology as a trait d'union between the basic biology of aging and the pathogenesis of age-related diseases is stronger than ever, although the emphasis has moved from reactive oxygen species production to other aspects of mitochondrial physiology, including mitochondrial biogenesis and turnover, energy sensing, apoptosis, senescence, and calcium dynamics. CONCLUSIONS: Mitochondria could play a key role in the pathophysiology of aging or in the earlier stages of some events that lead to the aging phenotype. Therefore, mitochondria will increasingly be targeted to prevent and treat chronic diseases and to promote healthy aging.

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  1. Virbasius JV, Scarpulla RC. Activation of the human mitochondrial tran- scription factor A gene by nuclear respiratory factors: a potential regula- tory link between nuclear and mitochondrial gene expression in organelle biogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994;91(4):1309-1313.
  2. Rizzuto R, Pinton P, Carrington W, et al. Close contacts with the endoplas- mic reticulum as determinants of mitochondrial Ca2+ responses. Science. 1998;280(5370):1763-1766.

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Authors
Gonzalez-Freire, M., de Cabo, R., Bernier, M., Sollott, S. J., Fabbri, E., Navas, P., & Ferrucci, L.
Affiliations
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • University of Bologna (IT)
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Published
2015-05-20
Volume
70
Issue
11
Pages
1334-1342
ISSN
  • 1079-5006 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-535X
OpenAlex
W1899652908
Cited by
244
References
101
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 7
FWCI
2.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Journals of Gerontology Series A (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion)
  • Deposito Digital UFV (Francisco de Vitoria University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
National Institutes of Health
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
mitochondria, aging, mitochondrial dysfunction, free radical theory of aging, reactive oxygen species, hormesis, autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial turnover, mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial proteostasis, mitochondria-associated membranes, redox homeostasis, electron transport chain, age-related diseases, healthy aging, senescence, apoptosis, energy sensing, calcium dynamics
MeSH terms
Aging, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Mitochondria, Reactive Oxygen Species, Epigenesis, Genetic

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