The polymorphic allele T, resulting in a Met residue, was observed at a non-significant decreased frequency of 77% in the control group in comparison to 83% in the cohort of aged subjects. This result suggests that an increase in the frequency of this variant HSP 70-Hom gene/protein is associated with the aged population, supporting the theory that the neutrality of the Thr residue (C allele) may affect the efficiency of the HSP 70-Hom protein in acting as a molecular chaperone by lowering the strength of the hydrophobic interactions between the chaperone and the target protein. In a proposed structural model of the peptide- binding, based on that of the HLA class I molecule, the altered amino acid at position 493 (Met to Thr) is on one of the b-sheets which forms the floor of the peptide-binding groove affecting specificity (Pociot et al., 1993).

Polymorphism of the HLA complex and the immune system has been the focus of a vast number of ageing association studies (Reviewed by Caruso et al., 2000; Caruso et al., 2001). One of the limitations in the majority of HLA studies reported to date is the number of aged individuals available of both genders, and complete back- ground histories of health or ethnicity for study participants. This is of even more importance considering that it is postulated that the two sexes follow different pathways to longevity (Franceschi et al., 2000). The relatively low numbers used in this study may be one possible factor in the lack of significant differences of the allele frequencies

O.A. Ross et al. / Experimental Gerontology 38 (2003) 561–565

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge: The European Union for support under the aegis of European Union Concerted Action on the Molecular Biology of Immunosenescence (EUCAMBIS; Biomed 1 contract CT94-1209); and Immu- nology and Ageing in Europe (IMAGINE; QLK6-CT-1999- O2031). OA Ross was a recipient of a CAST Award jointly funded by the Department of Education and Learning (Northern Ireland) and the Northern Ireland Histocompat- ibility and Immunogenetics Charitable Trust Fund. For Josie O’Malley (1919–2002)

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