Genetics of aging.
The role of genetics in determining life-span is complex and paradoxical. Although the heritability of life-span is relatively minor, some genetic variants significantly modify senescence of mammals and invertebrates, with both positive and negative impacts on age-related disorders and life-spans. In certain examples, the gene variants alter metabolic pathways, which could thereby mediate interactions with nutritional and other environmental factors that influence life-span. Given the relatively minor effect and variable penetrance of genetic risk factors that appear to affect survival and health at advanced ages, life-style and other environmental influences may profoundly modify outcomes of aging.
Finch
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Neurogerontology Division, Andrus Gerontology Center, and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, USA.
Tanzi
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D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D012307:Risk Factors