Variation in the Content of Three Tandem Repeats of the Human Genome (Ribosomal, Satellite III, and Telomere) in Peripheral Blood Leukocyte DNA of People of Different Ages (5-101 Years).

Abstract

The variation of ribosomal (parameter R), satellite III (1q12) (parameter S), and telomere (parameter T) tandem repeats content of the human genome was studied in DNA samples isolated from blood leukocytes of 535 people whose age varied from 5 to 101 years. For analysis we used the method of nonradioactive quantitative hybridization. The group of centenarians (90-101 years old, N = 106) differs from other age groups by a significantly narrower distribution of the ribosomal repeat content in DNA, a much higher content of satellite III, and a lower content of telomere repeat. A negative correlation was found between the S and T parameters (p < 10^-4). The findings of this study suggest that the calculated parameters S/T and S/(R∗T) exhibit a marked increase with age, culminating in maximal values within the cohort of centenarians. These results imply that the parameters R, S/T, and S/(R∗T) may hold the potential to serve as reliable predictors of life expectancy for individuals in advanced age.