Journal of Applied Physiology AJP: Renal Physiology
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J Appl Physiol 94: 1479-1484, 2003. First published December 20, 2002; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01061.2002
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Vol. 94, Issue 4, 1479-1484, April 2003

Reduced amount of mitochondrial DNA in aged human muscle

Stephen Welle1,2, Kirti Bhatt1, Bharati Shah1, Nancy Needler1, Joseph M. Delehanty1, and Charles A. Thornton3

Departments of 1 Medicine, 2 Pharmacology and Physiology, and 3 Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642

Muscle concentrations of mRNAs encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) decline with aging. To determine whether this can be explained by diminished mtDNA levels, we measured the relative concentrations of mtDNA and a representative mtDNA transcript [encoding cytochrome-c oxidase, subunit 2 (COX-2)] in muscle of young (21-27 yr) and older subjects (65-75 yr). The amount of COX-2 mRNA (relative to 28S rRNA) was 22% lower (P = 0.04) in older muscle, and the amount of mtDNA (relative to nuclear DNA) was 38% lower (P = 0.0002). The average level of mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), a protein essential for mtDNA replication, was similar in younger and older muscle. Tfam mRNA, nuclear respiratory factor-1 mRNA, and several mRNAs encoding proteins required for mtDNA replication were expressed at similar levels in younger and older muscle. The mtDNA concentrations were only weakly related to age-adjusted aerobic fitness (maximal oxygen consumption) and self-reported physical activity levels. We conclude that the lower concentration of mitochondrial mRNAs in older muscle can be explained by a reduced concentration of mtDNA.

aging; gene expression; mitochondrial transcription factor a; nuclear respiratory factor 1; cytochrome-c oxidase


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