Mitochondria play numerous, essential roles in the life of eukaryotes. Disruption of
mitochondrial function in humans is often pathological or even lethal. Surprisingly, in some
organisms mitochondrial dysfunction can result in life extension. This paradox has been
studied most extensively in the long-lived Mit mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis
elegans. In this review, we explore the major responses that are activated following
mitochondrial dysfunction in these animals and how these responses potentially act to …