The methionine synthase polymorphism c.2756Aright curved arrow G (D919G) is relevant for disease-free longevity.

The functional polymorphism methionine synthase (MTR) c.2576A-->G (D919G) influences homocysteine and folate metabolism and has been reported to be of protective function against oncological, neurodegenerative and vascular diseases. We analyzed 329 healthy individuals to confirm whether this polymorphism might be of epidemiological impact on disease-free longevity. In our sample, prevalence of the G-allele was significantly higher in the older than in the younger individuals (p=0.005) supporting the thesis that MTR c.2576A-->G is beneficial to disease-free longevity. Separate analysis of female and male subjects revealed that the influence of the MTR genotype on male subjects became relevant at a younger age as opposed to female subjects suggesting a gender-dependent effect.