Scrutiny of genome-wide somatic mutation profiles in centenarians identifies the key genomic regions for human longevity

Somatic mutations accumulate with age and are associated closely with human health, their characterization in longevity cohorts remains largely unknown. Here, by analyzing whole genome somatic mutation profiles in 73 centenarians and 51 younger controls in China, we found that centenarian genomes are characterized by a markedly skewed distribution of somatic mutations, with many genomic regions being specifically conserved but displaying a high function potential. This, together with the observed more efficient DNA repair ability in the long-lived individuals, supports the existence of key genomic regions for human survival during aging, with their integrity being of essential to human longevity.

Automated summary

By analyzing the whole genome somatic mutation profiles in 73 centenarians and 51 younger controls in China, researchers found that centenarian genomes have a skewed distribution of somatic mutations, with many genomic regions being conserved but having a high function potential. Additionally, long-lived individuals were observed to have more efficient DNA repair ability, supporting the idea that key genomic regions play a crucial role in human survival during aging and are essential for longevity.