Szekely2017PLoS_LongevityDatabase.sav

Longevity
is in part (25%) inherited, and genetic studies aim to uncover allelic variants
that play an important role in prolonging life span. Results to date confirm
only a few gene variants associated with longevity, while others show
inconsistent results. However, GWAS studies concentrate on single nucleotide polymorphisms,
and there are only a handful of studies investigating variable number of tandem
repeat variations related to longevity. Recently, Grady and colleagues (2013)
reported a remarkable (66%) accumulation of those carrying the 7 repeat allele
of the dopamine D4 receptor gene in a large population of 90-109 years old
Californian centenarians, as compared to an ancestry-matched young population.
In the present study we demonstrate the same association using continuous age
groups in an 18-97 years old Caucasian sample (N=1801, p=0.007). We found a
continuous pattern of increase from 18-75, however frequency of allele 7
carriers decreased in our oldest age groups. Possible role of gene-environment
interaction effects driven by historical events are discussed. In accordance
with previous findings, we observed association preferentially in females
(p=0.003). Our results underlie the importance of investigating non-disease
related genetic variants as inherited components of longevity, and confirm,
that the 7-repeat allele of the dopamine D4 receptor gene is a longevity
enabling genetic factor, accumulating in the elderly female population.