Three Novel Genes Associated with Longevity Found in European Bison

Background: Longevity-related genes have been found in mice, humans and in several other animal species. The goal of this study was to perform genetic analysis of long-lived European bisons with the aim to find genes that are associated with longevity. Results: : SNPs with particular nucleotides were significantly overrepresented in long-lived European bisons in three genes: BCKDHB, FER1L6 and SERPINI2. In SERPINI2, the longevity-associated SNP localizes to an exon. In the protein coded by the SERPINI2 gene, amino acid leucine present in the reference European bisons is replaced by tryptophan in the long-lived European bisons. Conclusions: : Three genes, BCKDHB, FER1L6 and SERPINI2, were proved to be associated with longevity in European bisons.