scholarly journals The Three Genetics (Nuclear DNA, Mitochondrial DNA, and Gut Microbiome) of Longevity in Humans Considered as Metaorganisms

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Garagnani ◽  
Chiara Pirazzini ◽  
Cristina Giuliani ◽  
Marco Candela ◽  
Patrizia Brigidi ◽  
...  

Usually the genetics of human longevity is restricted to the nuclear genome (nDNA). However it is well known that the nDNA interacts with a physically and functionally separated genome, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that, even if limited in length and number of genes encoded, plays a major role in the ageing process. The complex interplay between nDNA/mtDNA and the environment is most likely involved in phenomena such as ageing and longevity. To this scenario we have to add another level of complexity represented by the microbiota, that is, the whole set of bacteria present in the different part of our body with their whole set of genes. In particular, several studies investigated the role of gut microbiota (GM) modifications in ageing and longevity and an age-related GM signature was found. In this view, human being must be considered as “metaorganism” and a more holistic approach is necessary to grasp the complex dynamics of the interaction between the environment and nDNA-mtDNA-GM of the host during ageing. In this review, the relationship between the three genetics and human longevity is addressed to point out that a comprehensive view will allow the researchers to properly address the complex interactions that occur during human lifespan.

Author(s):  
Maggie R Hancock

Each human cell contains at least 1000 mitochondria, each containing several copies of mitochondrial DNA. This DNA is tiny compared with the nuclear genome, and its structure and products have been fully elucidated. Whilst oxidative phosphorylation depends on the polypeptides encoded by mitochondrial DNA, it also requires a huge number of nuclear DNA products. Inherited deleterious mutations of mitochondrial DNA leading to inefficient oxidative phosphorylation have been described as 'mitochondrial disorders', with a variety of clinical presentations. When similar clinical presentations occur with no discernible mutation of mitochondrial DNA, histological and biochemical evidence is required for diagnosis. The number of these laboratory-proven inherited mitochondrial disorders is growing. It is also becoming clear that mitochondrial DNA defects can be acquired, the most common cause being therapy with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Whilst definitive diagnosis of inherited or acquired mitochrondrial dysfunction requires access to specialist laboratory techniques, routine laboratories have a role to play in the initial investigation and monitoring of these conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5100
Author(s):  
Paulina Kozakiewicz ◽  
Ludmiła Grzybowska-Szatkowska ◽  
Marzanna Ciesielka ◽  
Jolanta Rzymowska

The mitochondria are essential for normal cell functioning. Changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may affect the occurrence of some chronic diseases and cancer. This process is complex and not entirely understood. The assignment to a particular mitochondrial haplogroup may be a factor that either contributes to cancer development or reduces its likelihood. Mutations in mtDNA occurring via an increase in reactive oxygen species may favour the occurrence of further changes both in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Mitochondrial DNA mutations in postmitotic cells are not inherited, but may play a role both in initiation and progression of cancer. One of the first discovered polymorphisms associated with cancer was in the gene NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 3 (mt-ND3) and it was typical of haplogroup N. In prostate cancer, these mutations and polymorphisms involve a gene encoding subunit I of respiratory complex IV cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI). At present, a growing number of studies also address the impact of mtDNA polymorphisms on prognosis in cancer patients. Some of the mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms occur in both chronic disease and cancer, for instance polymorphism G5913A characteristic of prostate cancer and hypertension.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4594
Author(s):  
Andrea Stoccoro ◽  
Fabio Coppedè

Epigenetic modifications of the nuclear genome, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNA post-transcriptional regulation, are increasingly being involved in the pathogenesis of several human diseases. Recent evidence suggests that also epigenetic modifications of the mitochondrial genome could contribute to the etiology of human diseases. In particular, altered methylation and hydroxymethylation levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been found in animal models and in human tissues from patients affected by cancer, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, environmental factors, as well as nuclear DNA genetic variants, have been found to impair mtDNA methylation patterns. Some authors failed to find DNA methylation marks in the mitochondrial genome, suggesting that it is unlikely that this epigenetic modification plays any role in the control of the mitochondrial function. On the other hand, several other studies successfully identified the presence of mtDNA methylation, particularly in the mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) region, relating it to changes in both mtDNA gene transcription and mitochondrial replication. Overall, investigations performed until now suggest that methylation and hydroxymethylation marks are present in the mtDNA genome, albeit at lower levels compared to those detectable in nuclear DNA, potentially contributing to the mitochondria impairment underlying several human diseases.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Hipps ◽  
Philip Dobson ◽  
Charlotte Warren ◽  
David McDonald ◽  
Andrew Fuller ◽  
...  

Mitochondria contain their own genome which encodes 13 essential mitochondrial proteins and accumulates somatic variants at up to 10 times the rate of the nuclear genome. These mitochondrial genome variants lead to respiratory chain deficiency and cellular dysfunction. Work with the PolgAmut/PolgAmut mouse model, which has a high mitochondrial DNA mutation rate, showed enhanced levels of age related osteoporosis in affected mice along with respiratory chain deficiency in osteoblasts. To explore whether respiratory chain deficiency is also seen in human osteoblasts with age, we developed a protocol and analysis framework for imaging mass cytometry (IMC) in bone tissue sections to analyse osteoblasts in situ. We have demonstrated significant increases in complex I deficiency with age in human osteoblasts. This work is consistent with findings from the PolgAmut/PolgAmut mouse model and suggests that respiratory chain deficiency, as a consequence of the accumulation of age related mitochondrial DNA mutations, may have a significant role to play in the pathogenesis of human age related osteoporosis.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1552
Author(s):  
Maria Sebastian-Valverde ◽  
Giulio M. Pasinetti

As a consequence of the considerable increase in the human lifespan over the last century, we are experiencing the appearance and impact of new age-related diseases. The causal relationships between aging and an enhanced susceptibility of suffering from a broad spectrum of diseases need to be better understood. However, one specific shared feature seems to be of capital relevance for most of these conditions: the low-grade chronic inflammatory state inherently associated with aging, i.e., inflammaging. Here, we review the molecular and cellular mechanisms that link aging and inflammaging, focusing on the role of the innate immunity and more concretely on the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, as well as how the chronic activation of this inflammasome has a detrimental effect on different age-related disorders.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (15) ◽  
pp. 1711-1716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena V. Galitsyna ◽  
Andrey V. Zhelankin ◽  
Igor A. Sobenin ◽  
Alexander N. Orekhov

In addition to external factors, such as exercise, food and the environment, genetic predisposition makes great contribution to the development of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. This review is aimed to examine the genetic basis of complex metabolic disorders conventionally described as "metabolic syndrome" (MetS), with the special focus on currently known mutations in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, which are associated with both the individual components of MetS and combinations thereof, and also on the studies of the relationship of MetS phenotype as a binary trait. The defects in the mitochondrial genome should be considered as one of the possible genetic reasons leading to MetS. It is known that mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with metabolic disorders, as mitochondria are the center of energy metabolism. Consequently, the changes in mitochondrial genes and their functions affect regulation of metabolism. Until now, the role of mitochondrial DNA damage in the development of cardiovascular diseases, age-related and metabolic disorders is still poorly understood. The results of performed studies would help assessing the role of mitochondrial DNA mutations in susceptibility to metabolic syndrome and related metabolic diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (39) ◽  
pp. 4139-4149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Guarasci ◽  
Patrizia D'Aquila ◽  
Alberto Montesanto ◽  
Andrea Corsonello ◽  
Dina Bellizzi ◽  
...  

: Patterns of DNA methylation, the best characterized epigenetic modification, are modulated by aging. In humans, different studies at both site-specific and genome-wide levels have reported that modifications of DNA methylation are associated with the chronological aging process but also with the quality of aging (or biological aging), providing new perspectives for establishing powerful biomarkers of aging. : In this article, the role of DNA methylation in aging and longevity has been reviewed by analysing literature data about DNA methylation variations occurring during the lifetime in response to environmental factors and genetic background, and their association with the aging process and, in particular, with the quality of aging. Special attention has been devoted to the relationship between nuclear DNA methylation patterns, mitochondrial DNA epigenetic modifications, and longevity. Mitochondrial DNA has recently been reported to modulate global DNA methylation levels of the nuclear genome during the lifetime, and, in spite of the previous belief, it has been found to be the target of methylation modifications. : Analysis of DNA methylation profiles across lifetime shows that a remodeling of the methylome occurs with age and/or with age-related decline. Thus, it can be an excellent biomarker of aging and of the individual decline and frailty status. The knowledge about the mechanisms underlying these modifications is crucial since it might allow the opportunity for targeted treatment to modulate the rate of aging and longevity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 778-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Sun ◽  
Todd T Brown ◽  
David C Samuels ◽  
Todd Hulgan ◽  
Gypsyamber D’Souza ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Ginaldi ◽  
Lucia Paola Mengoli ◽  
Massimo De Martinis

The improvements of socio-environmental conditions, medical care and quality of life have caused a general improvement in the health status of the population and a consequent reduction of morbidity and mortality, resulting in an overall increased life-expectancy. The role of immunosenescence was negligible in the past, when the human lifespan was 40–50 years, and its impact on morbidity and mortality has emerged in combination with the extension of lifespan. Immunosenescence results from multifactorial processes that act on all components of the immune system. The changes associated with immunosenescence are playing an increasingly important role in the emergence of a series of age-related pathologies, conditioning the present epidemiology of old people.


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