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Updated: May 29, 2026
09:37
A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
Published on: July 14, 2016
Are centenarians genetically predisposed to lower disease risk?
Jonatan R Ruiz1, Carmen Fiuza-Luces, Amaya Buxens
1Department of Physical Education and Sport, School of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. ruizj@ugr.es
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
|September 7, 2011
Summary
Centenarians, individuals living past 100 years, showed a lower genetic predisposition for cancer risk compared to younger controls. Specific gene variants, like GSTT1, may be linked to exceptional longevity and reduced cancer susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Gerontology
- Longevity Research
Background:
- Exceptional longevity is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
- Understanding the genetic underpinnings of longevity can provide insights into aging processes and disease resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare a polygenic risk score for cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, and exceptional longevity between centenarians and younger healthy controls.
- To investigate the association of specific genetic variants, including GSTT1 and GSTM1, with exceptional longevity.
Main Methods:
- Calculation of genotype scores (GS) for 62 genetic variants related to cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, and longevity.
- Comparison of global and specific GS between 54 centenarians and 87 ethnically matched controls.
- Analysis of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotype frequencies and their association with longevity.
Main Results:
- Global genotype scores were similar between centenarians and controls.
- Centenarians exhibited lower genotype scores for hypertension and cancer risk, though differences were not significant after sex adjustment.
- A higher frequency of the functional GSTT1 allele, associated with lower cancer risk, was observed in centenarians.
Conclusions:
- Spanish centenarians may possess a reduced genetic predisposition for cancer.
- The functional GSTT1 genotype might play a role in exceptional longevity, warranting further investigation in larger cohorts.
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