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Conclusion

This is the first study which provides evidences of an association of a new gene, i.e., YTHDF2, with human longevity. This gene has several and unexpected peculiar- ities which are of potential interest, and in particular its chromosomal context constituted by one of the regions with the highest content of Alu sequences, its high expression in reproductive organs and in highly proliferating tissues, and its possible involvement in glucose metabolism. Future studies should check the possibility that YTHDF2 is a cell- cycle regulator gene widely subjected to epigenetic regulation and dysregulation, in a chromosomal region potentially susceptible to epigenetic modification during life, as well as the possibility of an involvement in the insulin-like growth factor I/insulin signalling pathway and in the trade-off between longevity and fertility.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was partially supported by grants from the Italian Ministry of Health, Progetto Finalizzato 2002 ‘‘Studio Multicentrico sui Determinanti Genetici e non Genetici di Salute nell’Eta` Avanzata’’; European Union Grants GEHA (LSHM-CT-2004-503270) and FP6 EU Project ‘‘T-CIA’’; Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research PRIN 2003; ‘‘Fondi Strutturali Obiettivo 2’’ and the PRRIITT Program of the Emilia-Romagna Region; and by University of Bologna ‘‘Roberto Pallotti’’ Legacy for Cancer Research.

We thank Dr. Hester Mary Wain, of the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, for the helpful collaboration in the choice of gene names and symbols of YTH Domain Family members.

Address correspondence to Maurizio Cardelli, PhD, Department Gerontological Research, Italian National Research Center on (I.N.R.C.A), Via Birarelli 8, 60100 Ancona, Italy. E-mail: libero.it

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