24 Targeting DNA Repair Proteins to Mitochondria

Mitochondrial DNA is a very vulnerable target for both alkylating and oxidizing agents (1 –5 ). Recent studies from our laboratory demonstrated an association between inefficient mtDNA repair capacity and an increased sensitivity to both types of DNA damaging agent (5 –9 ). To determine if a cell’s sensitivity to a DNA damaging agent can be altered by changing the mtDNA repair capacity, experiments that involve targeting of repair enzymes to mitochondria were undertaken (10 ). The methods utilized are described in detail within this chapter.