Geneticists from the United States and Italy named four genes, with the state of which a person's life expectancy is confidently associated (from 90 years). The authors published the results of their studies in the journal PLOS Genetics, and briefly reports on them by the New Scientist edition.
The genes ABO (determines the blood group), CDKN2B (responsible for the regulation of cell life cycles), SH2B3 (associated with an increase in the lifespan of fruit flies) and one of the HLA (responsible for recognizing the immune system of the cells of its own body) turned out to be important for life.
Genetics came to such conclusions by analyzing data from 800 people over a hundred years old and 5000 people over 90 years old. These people were distinguished by the absence of serious defects in the ABO, CDKN2B, SH2B3 and HLA genes compared to other (younger) people.
Scientists believe that life expectancy is about 20 percent dependent on genetic factors. Knowledge of the main genes associated with longevity will allow scientists to develop recommendations and mechanisms to improve and maintain their performance.
