MSTN K153R polymorphism as candidate gene to influence extreme longevity in spanish centenarian women

Abstract

The myostatin (MSTN) gene is a candidate to influence extreme longevity owing to its role in modulating muscle mass and sarcopenia, and especially in inhibiting the main nutrient-sensing pathway involved in longevity, i.e. mTOR (mammalian target-of-rapamycin). We compared allele/genotype distributions of the exonic MSTN variants K153R (rs1805086), E164K (rs35781413), I225T and P198A, in women centenarians (cases, n=132; age range: 100-107 years) and younger women adults (controls, n=167; age < 50 years). The frequency of the variant R-allele and of R-allele carriers was significantly higher in centenarians (6.8% and 12.1%) than in controls (1.5% and 3.8%) (p=0.0008 and p=0.0022 respectively). The odds ratio (OR) of being a centenarian if the subject had the R allele was 4.47 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59-12.54 p=0.004), compared to the control group. Although more research is needed, the variant allele of the MSTN K153R polymorphism could be among the genetic contributors associated with exceptional longevity.