Mitochondrial-nuclear interactions and lifespan control in fungi

In fungi, mitochondrial-nuclear interactions are part of a complex molecula r network involved in the control of aging processes. The generation of rea ctive oxygen species at the mitochondrial respiratory chain plays a major r ole in this network. Mitochondrial DNA instabilities, which are under the c ontrol of nuclear genes, affect the generation of reactive oxygen species a nd modulate the rate of aging. As mitochondria become dysfunctional, they t ransduce signals tu the nucleus and induce the expression of a set of nucle ar genes, a process termed retrograde regulation. Molecular data are emergi ng which suggest that retrograde regulation is involved in lifespan control . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.