Aging is accompanied by a progressive decrease of expression of the WRN gene in human blood mononuclear cells

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2011 Jan;66(1):19-25. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glq162. Epub 2010 Sep 20.

Abstract

The WRN gene encodes DNA helicase participating in genome maintenance. We looked for associations of natural aging with expression and methylation of this gene in blood mononuclear cells and with its common polymorphisms. Analyses were performed in ethnically homogenous Polish Caucasians. The mean level of the WRN messenger RNA was significantly lower in long-living individuals than in young and middle-aged controls (p < .001 and p = .025, respectively). Analysis of the 361 bp WRN promoter CpG island showed that aging might be accompanied by a slight increase of its methylation status; however, it seems to be biologically insignificant. Finally, analysis of the WRN R834C, L1074F, and C1367R polymorphisms showed that the frequencies of the L1074F and C1367R polymorphisms were similar in all age groups tested, whereas the R834C polymorphism was absent from Polish Caucasians. We suggest that age-related decrease of the WRN expression but not its common genetic variants might contribute to human immunosenescence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / genetics*
  • DNA Methylation
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Messenger / blood
  • RecQ Helicases / genetics*
  • Werner Syndrome Helicase

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • RecQ Helicases
  • WRN protein, human
  • Werner Syndrome Helicase