title: The functional polymorphism rs73598374:G>A (p.Asp8Asn) of the ADA gene is associated with telomerase activity and leukocyte telomere length.
abstract: Recent evidence demonstrated a relevant role of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in replicative senescence of T cells through its capacity to modulate telomerase activity (TA). Herein, we tested the impact of the functional polymorphism ADA rs73598374:G>A (c.22G>A, p.Asp8Asn) on telomere biology, by measuring TA and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in healthy subjects selected according to rs73598374 genotype. rs73598374-A carriers showed lower TA (P=0.019) and shorter LTL (P=0.003), respectively, compared to G/G carriers. rs73598374-A carriers showed a stronger cross-sectional age reduction of LTL (r=-0.314, P=0.005) compared to G/G carriers (r=-0.243, P=0.022). The reduced ADA activity associated to rs73598374-A variant predisposes those carriers to display higher levels of adenosine compared to G/G carriers. Consequently, it may lead to an accelerated process of replicative senescence, causing a stronger reduction of TA and in turn shorter LTL. In conclusion, the crucial role played by replicative senescence of the immune system in several human diseases and in the aging process underscores the relevance of the present findings and also spurs interest into the possible involvement of rs73598374 in shaping the susceptibility to several age-related diseases.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Concetti
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences and Biotechnologies, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Carpi
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nabissi
authors.affiliation: Innovation Pole for Genomics, Genetics and Biology, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Picciolini
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santoni
authors.affiliation: Innovation Pole for Genomics, Genetics and Biology, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.identifier: 0000000243786838
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Napolioni
mesh_terms: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*; D059505:Telomere Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D019098:Telomerase; C548482:ADA protein, human; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase