Assalve Graziana, Lunetti Paola, Rocca Maria Santa, Cosci Ilaria, Di Nisio Andrea, Ferlin Alberto, Zara Vincenzo, Ferramosca Alessandra
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, I-73100 Lecce, Italy.
Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, I-35128 Padova, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jan 24;26(3):993. doi: 10.3390/ijms26030993.
Telomeres protect chromosome ends from damage, but they shorten with each cell division due to the limitations of DNA replication and are further affected by oxidative stress. This shortening is a key feature of aging, and telomerase, an enzyme that extends telomeres, helps mitigate this process. Aging is also associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) that exacerbate cellular damage and promote apoptosis. Elevated ROS levels can damage telomeres by oxidizing guanine and disrupting their regulation. Conversely, telomere damage impacts mitochondrial function, and activation of telomerase has been shown to reverse this decline. A critical link between telomere shortening and mitochondrial dysfunction is the DNA damage response, which activates the tumor suppressor protein p53, resulting in reduced mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic disruptions. This highlights the bidirectional relationship between telomere maintenance and mitochondrial function. This review explores the complex interactions between telomeres and mitochondria across various cell types, from fibroblasts to sperm cells, shedding light on the interconnected mechanisms underlying aging and cellular function.
端粒保护染色体末端免受损伤,但由于DNA复制的局限性,它们会随着每次细胞分裂而缩短,并进一步受到氧化应激的影响。这种缩短是衰老的一个关键特征,而端粒酶是一种能够延长端粒的酶,有助于减轻这一过程。衰老还与线粒体功能障碍有关,导致活性氧(ROS)增加,从而加剧细胞损伤并促进细胞凋亡。升高的ROS水平可通过氧化鸟嘌呤并破坏其调控来损伤端粒。相反,端粒损伤会影响线粒体功能,并且已证明端粒酶的激活可逆转这种衰退。端粒缩短与线粒体功能障碍之间的一个关键联系是DNA损伤反应,它会激活肿瘤抑制蛋白p53,导致线粒体生物合成减少和代谢紊乱。这突出了端粒维持与线粒体功能之间的双向关系。本综述探讨了从成纤维细胞到精子细胞等各种细胞类型中端粒与线粒体之间的复杂相互作用,揭示了衰老和细胞功能背后的相互关联机制。
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