Proteomic analysis of plasma proteins in Japanese semisuper centenarians.

We performed proteomic analysis of plasma proteins in Japanese semisuper centenarians (SSCs) (>105 years) and young controls (20-39 years), and found that 18 protein spots were altered in the plasma of SSCs. From peptide mass fingerprinting following in-gel digestion, it was demonstrated that paraoxonase/arylesterase 1 (PON 1) and apolipoprotein E were decreased, while haptoglobin β-chain, α(1)-microglobulin, and clusterin precursor were increased in SSCs. Interestingly, proteins related to oxidative stress, PON1, haptoglobin, α(1)-microglobulin, and clusterin, were altered in SSCs. These results suggest that systemic redox regulation is important for the longevity of SSCs. Overall, proteomics analysis is a powerful technique to search for useful biomarkers for future studies in gerontology and to characterize the individual proteins associated with successful aging of SSCs.