Gene/longevity association studies at four autosomal loci (REN, THO, PARP,SOD2)

The possibility that four loci (REN, THO, PARP, SOD2) are associated with l ongevity was explored by comparing the genotypic pools of subjects older th an 100 years with those of younger subjects matched for sex and geographic area (northern and southern Italy). The markers (all located within the res pective gene) were HUMREN4; HUMTHO1; HUMPARP((gt)845nt); SOD2(C/T)(401nt). In order to reduce the number of genotypes, multiallelic polymorphisms were recoded as diallelic according to allele size and frequency patterns (smal l: S, and large: L, alleles), A significant loss of LL homozygous genotypes was found at the THO locus in male but not in female centenarians with res pect to matched controls. On the other hand no significant difference was f ound between case/control genotypic frequencies at REN, PARP, SOD2 loci. Th e latter loci therefore do not affect inter-individual variability in life expectancy (at least in terms of qualitative variants associated with the t ested markers). However, the data is consistent with an association between the THO locus and longevity.