Investigating Mitochondrial DNA

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Since accumulated damage to mitochondrial DNA is strongly correlated with the aging process - and possibly a cause of aging - these cellular powerhouses are a hot topic in aging research at the moment. As for all modern biology research, it is important for scientists to understand the molecular mechanisms associated with mitochondrial function and damage. Here, EurekAlert reports on the latest piece of the puzzle: "Mitochondrial DNA was discovered in the 1960s, and we still do not know much about how it is organized, packaged or inherited. What is really amazing is that we very recently discovered proteins associated with mitochondrial DNA that were thought to only have metabolic functions, and that aconitase, one of these proteins, is essential for mitochondrial DNA maintenance and inheritance."

Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-02/uots-rau020205.php