Fig. 6: Mitochondrial H2O2 release does not directly damage nuclear DNA.
From: Mitochondrial H2O2 release does not directly cause damage to chromosomal DNA
Graphical abstract of our findings. Continuous elevated H2O2 levels in close vicinity to the DNA can cause mutations and DNA strand breaks, resulting in activation of the DNA damage response and ultimately senescence. In contrast, H2O2 released from mitochondria is not able to reach the nuclear DNA at physiological levels, and therefore does not directly contribute to nuclear DNA damage. Artificially high levels of mitochondrial H2O2 release, which is unlikely to be achieved in cells, does result in DNA strand breaks, but in parallel causes oxidative cell death.
