Association of mtDNA haplogroup F with healthy longevity in the female Chuang population, China

Human longevity is a complex heritable genetic trait. Based on substantial evidence from model organisms, it is clear that mitochondria play a pivotal role in aging and lifespan. However, the effects that mitochondrial genome variations have upon longevity and longevity-related phenotypes in Chuang people in China have yet to be established. By genotyping 15 variants for 10 haplogroups in 738 Chuang subjects, including 367 long-lived individuals and 371 controls, we found that haplogroup F was significantly associated with longevity in females of Zhuang population of China (p = 0.003, OR: 2.01, 95%CI: 1.263–3.197). Additionally, haplogroup F was related to higher HDL levels (p < 0.05) in long-lived individuals. Further analysis suggests that the non-synonymous variant m.13928G>C in haplogroup F was also associated with longevity in female Zhuang Chinese which might account for the beneficial effect of F.

► Mitochondrial haplogroup F associated with longevity was found in female Chuang people.
► Haplogroup F related to higher levels of HDL, “a good protein” in long-lived individuals.
► Functional SNP variant (m.13928G>C) could explain the longevity-associated-haplogroup F.