AKT1 fails to replicate as a longevity-associated gene in Danish and German nonagenarians and centenarians

Eur J Hum Genet. 2013 May;21(5):574-7. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2012.196. Epub 2012 Aug 29.

Abstract

In addition to APOE and FOXO3, AKT1 has recently been suggested as a third consistent longevity gene, with variants in AKT1 found to be associated with human lifespan in two previous studies. Here, we evaluated AKT1 as a longevity-associated gene across populations by attempting to replicate the previously identified variant rs3803304 as well as by analyzing six additional AKT1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, thus capturing more of the common variation in the gene. The study population was 2996 long-lived individuals (nonagenarians and centenarians) and 1840 younger controls of Danish and German ancestry. None of the seven SNPs tested were significantly associated with longevity in either a case-control or a longitudinal setting, although a supportive nominal indication of a disadvantageous effect of rs3803304 was found in a restricted group of Danish centenarian men. Overall, our results do not support AKT1 as a universal longevity-associated gene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Denmark
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Longevity / genetics*
  • Male
  • Models, Genetic
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics*

Substances

  • AKT1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt