Abstract
Aging has been explained in terms of an accumulation of mutations in the genome of somatic cells, leading to tissue atrophy and neoplasms, as well as increased loss of function. Recent advances in transgenic mouse modeling and genomics technology have created, for the first time, the opportunity to begin testing this theory. In this paper the existing evidence for a possible role of somatic mutation accumulation in aging will be re-evaluated on the basis of the evolutionary logic of aging and recent insights in genome structure and function. New strategies for investigating the relationship between genome instability, mutation accumulation and aging will be discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 117-135 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis |
| Volume | 447 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 17 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aging
- DNA repair
- Genome instability
- Somatic mutation
- Transgenic and knockout mice
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis