Genetic variation in human telomerase is associated with telomere length in Ashkenazi centenarians

Gil Atzmon, Miook Cho, Richard M. Cawthon, Temuri Budagov, Micol Katz, Xiaoman Yang, Glenn Siegel, Aviv Bergman, Derek M. Huffman, Clyde B. Schechter, Woodring E. Wright, Jerry W. Shay, Nir Barzilai, Diddahally R. Govindaraju, Yousin Suh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Telomere length in humans is emerging as a biomarker of aging because its shortening is associated with aging-related diseases and early mortality. However, genetic mechanisms responsible for these associations are not known. Here, in a cohort of Ashkenazi Jewish centenarians, their offspring, and offspring-matched controls, we studied the inheritance and maintenance of telomere length and variations in two major genes associated with telomerase enzyme activity, hTERT and hTERC. We demonstrated that centenarians and their offspring maintain longer telomeres compared with controls with advancing age and that longer telomeres are associated with protection from age-related diseases, better cognitive function, and lipid profiles of healthy aging. Sequence analysis of hTERT and hTERC showed overrepresentation of synonymous and intronic mutations among centenarians relative to controls. Moreover, we identified a common hTERT haplotype that is associated with both exceptional longevity and longer telomere length. Thus, variations in human telomerase gene that are associated with better maintenance of telomere length may confer healthy aging and exceptional longevity in humans.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1710-1717
Number of pages8
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume107
Issue numberSUPPL. 1
DOIs
StatePublished - 26 Jan 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Biomarker
  • Heritability
  • Longevity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Genetic variation in human telomerase is associated with telomere length in Ashkenazi centenarians'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this