An Antagonistically Pleiotropic Gene Regulates Vertebrate Growth, Maturity and Aging

Abstract

The antagonistic pleiotropy theory of aging predicts genetic trade-offs between early-life and late-life fitness. However, empirical evidence for such trade-offs in vertebrates remains scarce, particularly in the context of ecologically relevant life histories. Here, we identify vestigial-like 3 (vgll3), a transcription cofactor previously linked to age at maturity in humans and male Atlantic salmon through GWAS, as an antagonistically pleiotropic gene in the turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri). Selective disruption of vgll3 isoforms accelerates male growth and maturation in an isoform- and dose-dependent manner. Transcriptomic analysis, supported by cellular and physiological phenotypes, indicated increased cell proliferation and elevated germline production. However, early-life maturation incurs a late-life cost, linked to altered DNA damage response. Older mutant males develop melanoma-like tumors, validated via transplantation into immunodeficient rag2 models, and exhibit elevated age-related mortality rate. These findings highlight vgll3 as a key regulator of vertebrate life-history trade-offs, balancing early-life fitness with late-life disease risks.