Analysis of common polymorphisms in angiotensin-converting enzyme and apolipoprotein e genes and human longevity in Colombia.
BACKGROUND
Genetic analysis of human longevity may be useful for the understanding of molecular mechanisms implicated in age-related diseases. The molecular genetics of human longevity is largely unexplored in Latin American populations and other developing countries.


METHODS
To explore the possibility of an association of common polymorphisms in two candidate genes and longevity in Colombia, we analyzed two polymorphisms in apolipoprotein E (APOE) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genes in a sample of 538 Colombian subjects (18-106 years), using previously validated PCR-based methodologies.


RESULTS
We found a significant decrease in ACE DD genotype (24 vs. 16%) between young and old subject groups (mean age: 45 vs. 77 years) (p = 0.03). The ACE DD genotype and D allele decrease was significant only in women. There were no differences for APOE polymorphism between young and old subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results are compatible with the expected age-related decrease of ACE DD genotype. Future studies examining functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ACE gene and its correlation with serum ACE activity in the older subjects and their younger relatives in this sample are warranted.
Forero
Diego A
DA
Grupo de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina e Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
Pinzón
Jorge
J
Arboleda
Gonzalo H
GH
Yunis
Juan J
JJ
Alvarez
Claudia
C
Cataño
Nohra
N
Arboleda
Humberto
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D003105:Colombia; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C488034:ACE protein, human; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A