International Journal of Hematology and Oncology 2024, Vol 34, Num 3 Page(s): 232-240
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA AND CANCER

AYŞEGÜL AYHAN1, AYSUN ÖZKAN1, KAYAHAN FIŞKIN1

Akdeniz Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, ANTALYA

Keywords: mtdna, cancer, oxidative damage
A number of studies have demonstrated the presence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in cancer cells. Alterations in expression of mtDNA transcripts in a variety of cancer types are also reviewed. Levels of oxidative damage in mtDNA are at least 10 fold higher than those of nuclear DNA. These higher levels of oxidative damage and mutation in mtDNA have been ascribed to location of the DNA near the inner mitochondrial membrane sites where oxidants are formed, lack of protective histones and lack of DNA repair activity. Relation between mtDNA damage and cancer were investigated in this review.