The Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Aging
Chapter from the book:
Meydan,
İ.
&
Özdek,
U.
(eds.)
2025.
New Approaches in Biochemistry.
Synopsis
Mitochondria are known as the "powerhouses" of the cell and play a critical role in many vital processes, primarily ATP production. Because they possess their own DNA (mtDNA) and are central to energy metabolism, the function of mitochondria is indispensable for cellular homeostasis. During aging, however, mitochondrial efficiency and function decrease significantly. This decrease leads to a reduction in energy production in cells while increasing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increased ROS, over time, cause damage and mutation accumulation in nuclear DNA, and especially mtDNA, disrupting oxidative phosphorylation. As a result, in aging cells, the functional capacity of mitochondria decreases while their structural integrity is also compromised. The emergence of mitochondrial dysfunction with aging suggests that these organelles may be one of the key determinants of aging. Indeed, among the proximate markers of aging, mitochondrial dysfunction is considered one of the key factors triggering aging. However, despite numerous studies to date, it is not yet fully understood whether mitochondrial degeneration causes or is a consequence of aging. Nevertheless, current findings suggest that maintaining mitochondrial health may positively influence the aging process
