Accumulation of deleted mitochondrial DNA in aging Drosophila melanogaster.

Cumulative damage in mitochondria by reactive oxygen species is thought to result in a decrease in mitochondrial respiratory function and to contribute to the age-related decline in the physiological function of organisms. The mitochondrial genome is also subjected to damage with age through deletions. The accumulation of deleted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been observed in various animals, but still remains unclear in insects.