6533b7d5fe1ef96bd12637f0

RESEARCH PRODUCT

APOE and longevity: study of a population of Sardinian Centenarians

Chiara BelliaBruna Lo SassoAntonietta CarusoLuisa AgnelloMarcello CiaccioL LigaR RaineriF Bazza

subject

Settore BIO/12 - Biochimica Clinica E Biologia Molecolare ClinicaAPOE Longevity Elderly Polymorphism

description

Apolipoprotein E is a major determinant in lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease, it has emerged as an important molecule in several biological processes including Alzheimer's disease and cognitive function. ApoE is a polymorphic protein (ε2, ε3, ε4) with three proteic isoforms, ApoE2, ApoE3, ApoE4 (1). The aim of the study was to verify the frequencies of allelic variants a population of healthy elderly people. ApoE polymorphisms were determined by Real Time-PCR. The genotype frequencies of ApoE in our group of 71 centenarians (mean age 100.9 ±1.3) were: ε2/ε3 (12.67%); ε3/ε4 (5.63%). In the control group, consisting of 97 individuals (mean age 92.98 ±2.53), the genotype frequencies were: ε2/ε3 (7.21%); ε3/ε4 (15.46%). Differences between genotype frequencies in centenarians and control group were statistically significant (P<0.05). Results confirm that the frequency of ε2 allele is increased in centenaries, suggesting that this allele could be correlated to longevity.

http://hdl.handle.net/10447/66225