Key points from article :
University of Sheffield has made progress in repairing the damage done to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
One of the hallmarks of aging is genomic instability which includes damage to the mtDNA.
mtDNA is more vulnerable to damage, due to its proximity to energy generating processes.
Dysfunctional mitochondrial mutants are able to avoid mitophagy.
Entire cell can become populated with mutant mitochondria - not generating ATP properly.
5 year study reveals how the enzyme TDP1 is also responsible for repairing damaged mtDNA.
The study was published in the Science Advances journal.
