Shuttling between species for pathways of lifespan regulation: a central role for the vitellogenin gene family?
Studies to find genes that affect maximum lifespan aim at identifying important determinants of ageing that may be universal across species. Model organisms show insulin signalling can play an important role in ageing. In view of insulin resistance, such loci can also be important in human ageing and health. The study of long-lived humans and their children points to the relevance of lipoprotein profiles and particle size for longevity. If ageing pathways are conserved, then the genes mediating such pathways may also be conserved. Cross-species sequence comparisons of potential longevity loci may reveal whether the pathways that they represent are central themes in lifespan regulation. Using bioinformatic tools, we performed a sequence comparison of the genes involved in lipid metabolism identified in humans as potential longevity loci. This analysis revealed that lipid storage and transport may be a common theme related to longevity in humans, honeybees and nematodes. Here, the vitellogenin family emerges as a potential key connection between lipid metabolism and the insulin/IGF-1 signalling pathway.
Brandt
Bernd W
BW
Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands. b.w.brandt@lumc.nl
Zwaan
Bas J
BJ
Beekman
Marian
M
Westendorp
Rudi G J
RG
Slagboom
P Eline
PE
D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008136:Longevity; D023421:Models, Animal; D008954:Models, Biological; D005810:Multigene Family; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000235:genetics*
D014819:Vitellogenins