NameApoE
OrganismHomo sapiens
Aging PhenotypeCorrelation
Allele TypeN/A
StrainN/A
DescriptionThe frequency of the epsilon 2 allele of ApoE is significantly increased in centenarians relative to the overall population. The epsilon 4 allele is significantly decreased in centenarians (Schachter et al., 1994). Among individuals 85 years or older with good cognition, mortality in subjects with the epsilon 2/3 genotype is half that of those who carry the epsilon 3/3 genotype, and mortality in subjects with the epsilon 3/4 genotype is twice that of those who carry the epsilon 3/3 genotype. This four-fold variation results in two year difference in survival (Corder et al., 1996).
Gene FunctionApolipoprotein E
Other PhenotypesThe epsilon 4 allele of ApoE is associated with higher cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease (Alafuzoff et al., 2000; Nasser et al., 1999), and is a risk factor for cognitive impairment under age 85 (Corder et al., 1996). APOE polymorphism is not a risk factor for cognitive impairment in individuals older than 85 years.
HomologsR.n.: APOE, APOA1, APOA4
M.m.: APOE, APOA1, APOA4
H.s.: APOA4
Primary ReferenceSchachter, F., Faure-Delanef, L., Guenot, F., Rouger, H., Froguel, P., Lesueur-Ginot, L., and Cohen, D. (1994). Genetic associations with human longevity at the APOE and ACE loci. Nat Genet 6, 29-32. [Abstract]
Other ReferencesNassar, B. A., Dunn, J., Title, L. M., O`Neill, B. J., Kirkland, S. A., Zayed, E., Bata, I. R., Cantrill, R. C., Johnstone, J., Dempsey, G. I., Tan, M. H., Breckenridge, W. C., and Johnstone, D. E. (1999). Relation of genetic polymorphisms of apolipoprote [Abstract]
Alafuzoff, I., Helisalmi, S., Mannermaa, A., and Soininen, H. (2000). Severity of cardiovascular disease, apolipoprotein E genotype, and brain pathology in aging and dementia. Ann N Y Acad Sci 903, 244-51. [Abstract]
Corder, E. H., Lannfelt, L., Viitanen, M., Corder, L. S., Manton, K. G., Winblad, B., and Basun, H. (1996). Apolipoprotein E genotype determines survival in the oldest old (85 years or older) who have good cognition. Arch Neurol 53, 418-22. [Abstract]
Relevant LinksLocusLink: http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/LocusLink/LocRpt.cgi?l=348
KeywordsHomo sapiens, human, heart disease