How Important Are Genes to Achieve Longevity?

Abstract

Several studies on the genetics of longevity have been reviewed in this paper. The results show that, despite efforts and new technologies, only two genes, APOE and FOXO3A, involved in the protection of cardiovascular diseases, have been shown to be associated with longevity in nearly all studies. This happens because the genetic determinants of longevity are dynamic and depend on the environmental history of a given population. In fact, population-specific genes are thought to play a greater role in the attainment of longevity than those shared between different populations. Hence, it is not surprising that GWAS replicated associations of common variants with longevity have been few, if any, as these studies pool together different populations. An alternative way might be the study of long-life families. This type of approach is proving to be an ideal resource for uncovering protective alleles and associated biological signatures for healthy aging phenotypes and exceptional longevity.

Ageing: Longevity, Successful and Positive

“…Should we consider, therefore, biological ageing as a pathological state as accepted by the Greeks and Romans or more an accumulation of molecular deficits secondary to a failure to maintain DNA integrity, cell failure [3,4], and as a consequence, more disease occurs leading to increasing frailty and death [5,6].…”

“…It is inevitable that anyone surviving into adult hood will become old unless their life is prematurely ended due to disease or trauma. Who is old is dependent on the population under study and is based on a maximum duration of life [3]. The number of older people in the world is increasing due to more people surviving into adult hood and longer life expectancy.…”

“…Biblical scriptures suggest that a healthy life span will be 120 years [15] and those that fail to reach a hundred will be considered accursed [16], science suggests similar figures though reports in 2021 suggest that 150 years might be possible [4]. Longevity requires genome stability/integrity to maintain cellular homeostasis and reduce the prevalence of disease [3]. Genetics, epigenetics, disease and socioeconomics all play a part (Figure 1) [3,17] and their predominance may depend one's age, with genetics (in particular Apo E and FOXO3A) playing a larger part after the seventh decade [3].…”

“…Longevity requires genome stability/integrity to maintain cellular homeostasis and reduce the prevalence of disease [3]. Genetics, epigenetics, disease and socioeconomics all play a part (Figure 1) [3,17] and their predominance may depend one's age, with genetics (in particular Apo E and FOXO3A) playing a larger part after the seventh decade [3]. The longer you live; the longer you are likely to live [18].…”

“…How we age and whether we age "successfully" is complex, and many of the influencing factors influence each other. For instance, a family that has many people living to a great age, often share common social, economic and environmental factors as well as a pool of genes [3,18,19]. Consequently there are many modifiable factors and the individual has the ability modify (Functional plasticity) to modify their response to the challenges posed [1,20].…”