Mutation load and human longevity

Mutat Res. 1997 Jun 9;377(1):61-2. doi: 10.1016/s0027-5107(97)00058-4.

Abstract

Since paternal age at reproduction is considered to be the main factor determining human spontaneous mutation rate (Crow, J. (1993) Environ. Mol. Mutagenesis, 21, 122-129), the effect of paternal age on human longevity was studied on 8,518 adult persons (at age 30 and above) from European aristocratic families with well-known genealogy. The daughters born to old fathers (50-59 years) lose about 4.4 years of their life compared to daughters of young fathers (20-29 years) and these losses are highly statistically significant, while sons are not significantly affected. Since only daughters inherit the paternal X chromosome, this sex-specific decrease in daughters' longevity might indicate that human longevity genes (crucial, house-keeping genes) sensitive to mutational load might be located in this chromosome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longevity / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Nuclear Family
  • Paternal Age*
  • Reproduction / genetics
  • Reproduction / physiology
  • Sex Factors
  • X Chromosome / genetics*