title: The three genetics (nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and gut microbiome) of longevity in humans considered as metaorganisms.
abstract: Usually the genetics of human longevity is restricted to the nuclear genome (nDNA). However it is well known that the nDNA interacts with a physically and functionally separated genome, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that, even if limited in length and number of genes encoded, plays a major role in the ageing process. The complex interplay between nDNA/mtDNA and the environment is most likely involved in phenomena such as ageing and longevity. To this scenario we have to add another level of complexity represented by the microbiota, that is, the whole set of bacteria present in the different part of our body with their whole set of genes. In particular, several studies investigated the role of gut microbiota (GM) modifications in ageing and longevity and an age-related GM signature was found. In this view, human being must be considered as "metaorganism" and a more holistic approach is necessary to grasp the complex dynamics of the interaction between the environment and nDNA-mtDNA-GM of the host during ageing. In this review, the relationship between the three genetics and human longevity is addressed to point out that a comprehensive view will allow the researchers to properly address the complex interactions that occur during human lifespan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy ; Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" (CIG), University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S. Donato 1, 40126 Bologna, Italy ; Center for Applied Biomedical Research, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4161-3626
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garagnani
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy ; Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" (CIG), University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S. Donato 1, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8248-0295
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pirazzini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGEA), Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology & Centre for Genome Biology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5318-6502
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Candela
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brigidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy ; Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" (CIG), University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S. Donato 1, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5530-3293
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sevini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGEA), Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology & Centre for Genome Biology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Donata
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luiselli
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy ; Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" (CIG), University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S. Donato 1, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Giulia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bacalini
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy ; Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" (CIG), University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S. Donato 1, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvioli
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy ; Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" (CIG), University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S. Donato 1, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capri
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Experimental and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8651-8123
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy ; Geriatric Unit, IRCCS Ca' Grande Foundation, Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6950-0789
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mari
authors.affiliation: Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences SA, Campus EPFL, Molecular Biomarkers Core, Quartier de l'Innovation, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Collino
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnologies, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7100-4581
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delledonne
authors.affiliation: Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences SA, Campus EPFL, Functional Genomics Core, Quartier de l'Innovation, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1274-247X
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Descombes
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy ; Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" (CIG), University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S. Donato 1, 40126 Bologna, Italy ; IRCCS, Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Ospedale Bellaria, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy ; CNR, Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (ISOF), Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franceschi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D015894:Genome, Human; D054629:Genome, Mitochondrial; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D064307:Microbiota; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D035781:Siblings
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D004247:DNA