Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA deletions in human retina during aging

摘要: PURPOSE The authors investigated the presence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in aging human retina. METHODS A quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique for studying common mtDNA 4977-deletion (delta mtDNA4977) retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neural (NR) was developed. RESULTS Although no deletion detected fetus, every adult RPE NR had this deletion. ratio deleted delta mtDNA4977 to total increased significantly elderly persons 60 110 years age greater peripheral than central RPE. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that at least one type mutation accumulates retina during aging, reflecting a general phenomenon genomic instability could influence its function.