FOXO3A genotype is strongly associated with human longevity

doi:10.1073/pnas.0801030105

FOXO3A genotype is strongly associated with human longevity

*Pacific Health Research Institute, 846 South Hotel Street, Honolulu, HI 96813;
^†Honolulu Heart Program, Kuakini Medical Center, 347 North Kuakini Street, HPM-9, Honolulu, HI 96817;
Departments of ^‡Geriatric Medicine and
^‖Public Health Sciences and Epidemiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 347 North Kuakini Street, HPM-9, Honolulu, HI 96817;
^¶Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, 1236 Lauhala St # 406, Honolulu, HI 96813; and
**Okinawa International University, 2-6-1 Ginowan, Ginowan, Okinawa 901-2701 Japan

Edited by Cynthia J. Kenyon, University of California, San Francisco, CA, and approved July 9, 2008 (received for review February 5, 2008)

Abstract

Human longevity is a complex phenotype with a significant familial component, yet little is known about its genetic antecedents. Increasing evidence from animal models suggests that the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway is an important, evolutionarily conserved biological pathway that influences aging and longevity. However, to date human data have been scarce. Studies have been hampered by small sample sizes, lack of precise phenotyping, and population stratification, among other challenges. Therefore, to more precisely assess potential genetic contributions to human longevity from genes linked to IIS signaling, we chose a large, homogeneous, long-lived population of men well-characterized for aging phenotypes, and we performed a nested-case control study of 5 candidate longevity genes. Genetic variation within the FOXO3A gene was strongly associated with human longevity. The OR for homozygous minor vs. homozygous major alleles between the cases and controls was 2.75 (P = 0.00009; adjusted P = 0.00135). Long-lived men also presented several additional phenotypes linked to healthy aging, including lower prevalence of cancer and cardiovascular disease, better self-reported health, and high physical and cognitive function, despite significantly older ages than controls. Several of these aging phenotypes were associated with FOXO3A genotype. Long-lived men also exhibited several biological markers indicative of greater insulin sensitivity and this was associated with homozygosity for the FOXO3A GG genotype. Further exploration of the FOXO3A gene, human longevity and other aging phenotypes is warranted in other populations.

Footnotes

^§To whom correspondence should be addressed at:
PHRI, 846 South Hotel Street, Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96813.
E-mail: bjwillcox{at}phrihawaii.org
Author contributions: B.J.W., T.A.D., Q.H., R.C., J.S.G., K.Y., K.H.M., D.C.W., B.R., and J.D.C. designed research; B.J.W., T.A.D., Q.H., R.C., J.S.G., K.Y., K.H.M., D.C.W., B.R., and J.D.C. performed research; T.A.D. contributed new reagents/analytic tools; Q.H., R.C., and J.S.G. analyzed data; and B.J.W., T.A.D., Q.H., R.C., J.S.G., K.Y., K.H.M., D.C.W., B.R., and J.D.C. wrote the paper.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
This article is a PNAS Direct Submission.
This article contains supporting information online at www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/0801030105/DCSupplemental.