科学家发现了一个称为FOXO3A的基因与人类的健康和长寿有强烈的相关性。此前，只有1个基因被发现和人类长寿相关，那就是营养运输分子ApoE的基因。
对动物衰老模型的研究已经发现了几个胰岛素信号传导路径的组成部分，例如人体的感知胰岛素的FOXO蛋白。Bradley Willcox及其同事研究了一群定期接受健康检查的日裔美国男性。这组科学家筛查了受试者的DNA，把重点放在胰岛素路径的5个基因上。他们计算了每个基因的三个位置上出现的DNA碱基如何与一个综合健康标准集相关。
FOXO3A基因上的一个位置特别突出。在组成了DNA的4种碱基（A、T、C、G）中，大多数受试者在一对染色体的这个位置上拥有的是胸腺嘧啶（T）。但是鸟嘌呤（G）取代了T的受试者在当初健康检查的时候的健康状况更好。20年后，在最终到达了98岁平均年龄的男性组中G出现的频率更高。这组科学家在这些老年人中的许多人身上发现了有两个G（GG）的等位基因，他们认为这可能是这些人在老龄时非常健康的原因。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推荐原始出处：
PNAS published September 2, 2008, doi:10.1073/pnas.0801030105
FOXO3A genotype is strongly associated with human longevity
Bradley J. Willcox, Timothy A. Donlon, Qimei He, Randi Chen, John S. Grove, Katsuhiko Yano, Kamal H. Masaki, D. Craig Willcox, Beatriz Rodriguez, and J. David Curb
Human longevity is a complex phenotype with a significant familial component, yet little is known about its genetic antecedents. Increasing evidence from animal models suggests that the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway is an important, evolutionarily conserved biological pathway that influences aging and longevity. However, to date human data have been scarce. Studies have been hampered by small sample sizes, lack of precise phenotyping, and population stratification, among other challenges. Therefore, to more precisely assess potential genetic contributions to human longevity from genes linked to IIS signaling, we chose a large, homogeneous, long-lived population of men well-characterized for aging phenotypes, and we performed a nested-case control study of 5 candidate longevity genes. Genetic variation within the FOXO3A gene was strongly associated with human longevity. The OR for homozygous minor vs. homozygous major alleles between the cases and controls was 2.75 (P = 0.00009; adjusted P = 0.00135). Long-lived men also presented several additional phenotypes linked to healthy aging, including lower prevalence of cancer and cardiovascular disease, better self-reported health, and high physical and cognitive function, despite significantly older ages than controls. Several of these aging phenotypes were associated with FOXO3A genotype. Long-lived men also exhibited several biological markers indicative of greater insulin sensitivity and this was associated with homozygosity for the FOXO3A GG genotype. Further exploration of the FOXO3A gene, human longevity and other aging phenotypes is warranted in other populations
