This gene influences how long we live.

The issue of longevity is on everyone's mind. Scientists worldwide are researching the genetics of longevity and year after year they gain new insights – yet so far only one thing is certain: There is no single longevity gene that determines individual life expectancy. Rather, it is about a multitude of genes, their complex interaction – and a healthy lifestyle plus environmental influences.

Longevity gene: Variants of the ApoE gene in focus

One of the few well-established genetic influences on longevity is the apolipoprotein E gene (ApoE), which, among other things, supplies nutrients to nerve cells in the brain. A research group led by Professor Almut Nebel of the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel examined the evolutionary history of this gene. She analyzed data from human skeletons up to 12,000 years old and concluded: The genetic heritage from the Stone Age still influences the chance of a long, healthy life today.

Accordingly, the three variants ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4 are relevant for longevity. While the fourth variant is associated with a very high risk of Alzheimer's disease and can shorten the life expectancy, ApoE2 increases the chance of a long life and is therefore also referred to as the longevity gene. ApoE3 is considered neutral.

The Stone Age gene ApoE2 can prolong the healthspan

Hunters and gatherers of the Stone Age particularly often - about 40 percent of them - had the harmful fourth variant, while the favorable second variant was not detectable in them. However, since they walked long distances on foot every day, they virtually outran the poor genetic predisposition. Various research results also show that a healthy diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the risk of ApoE4 carriers developing Alzheimer's.

Within Europe, the frequency of the ApoE4 variant decreases significantly from north (22 percent) to south (6 percent). While 70 percent of the population holds the neutral variant, the beneficial ApoE2 variant is found in a maximum of 12 percent. The current distribution of variants in Europe was mainly formed by two major immigrations 7,500 and 4,800 years ago, the research group led by Professor Nebel discovered.

Immigration favored the ApoE gene pool

The first change was brought about by the Neolithic farmers migrating from Anatolia. They carried almost no ApoE4 and introduced the beneficial ApoE2 gene to Europe for the first time. The second change came with the influx of steppe nomads during the Bronze Age. Although they had a higher proportion of ApoE4 than the first farmers, they also had significantly more of the longevity variant ApoE2 and significantly established it in Europe.