Methionine metabolism is down-regulated in heart of long-lived mammals

Abstract

Methionine constitutes a central hub of intracellular metabolic adaptations leading to an extended longevity (maximum lifespan). The present study follows a comparative approach analyzing methionine and related metabolites and amino acids profiles using a LC-MS/MS platform in heart from seven mammalian species with a longevity ranging from 3.8 to 57 years. Our findings demonstrate the existence of species-specific heart phenotypes associated with high longevity characterized by: i) low concentration of methionine and its related sulphur-containing metabolites; ii) low amino acid pool; and iii) low choline concentration. Our results support the existence of heart metabotypes characterized by a down-regulation in long-lived species, supporting the idea that in longevity less is more.