Oxidative and other DNA damages as the basis of aging: a review.

DNA damages occur continuously in cells of living organisms. While most of these damages are repaired, some accumulate. In particular, there is evidence for DNA damage accumulation in non-dividing cells of mammals. These accumulated DNA damages probably interfere with RNA transcription. We consider that the decline in the ability of DNA to serve as a template for gene expression is the primary cause of aging. Oxidative DNA damages are among the best documented and prevalent DNA damages and are likely to be a prominent cause of aging.