The Role of Macromolecular Damage in Aging and Age-related Disease

Several decades of research have shown that macromolecular damage increases with age and that damage to protein, DNA, lipids, and other macromolecular components appears to be important factors in specific age-related diseases. The strongest evidence that macromolecular damage is a causative factor in aging comes from studies using manipulations that increase life span. However, it is currently unclear whether damage to macromolecules plays a role in the actual processes of aging. In other words, is macromolecular damage driven by aging or is it that damage to a key molecular component directly causes aging?