What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Biological Aging and Cancer: 8/10 evidence, 29 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Slower Biological Aging but Higher Cancer Risk
Two copies of the C allele promote longer telomeres, which helps preserve cellular youthfulness. However, this cellular longevity is accompanied by an elevated risk for several types of cancer.
What this genotype means: Longer telomeres and slower cellular aging; Increased risk of colorectal, bladder, and blood cancers; Slightly higher risk of multiple sclerosis.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/T
Typical Biological Aging and Cancer Risk
Carrying one C allele and one T allele results in intermediate telomere length. This balance provides typical rates of biological aging and average baseline cancer risks.
What this genotype means: Average telomere length and typical cellular aging; Standard baseline risk for associated cancers; Typical risk for celiac disease and multiple sclerosis.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Faster Biological Aging but Lower Cancer Risk
Two copies of the T allele lead to shorter telomeres, which accelerates cellular aging. However, this rapid cellular senescence provides strong protection against several cancers.
What this genotype means: Shorter telomeres and faster cellular aging; Lower risk of colorectal, bladder, and blood cancers; Slightly increased risk of celiac disease.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The MYNN gene encodes myoneurin, a zinc finger protein that is widely expressed in various tissues and plays a role in neuromuscular development. Although its precise cellular functions are still being characterized, MYNN is located in close genomic proximity to the TERC gene on chromosome 3. TERC encodes the RNA component of telomerase, the essential enzyme complex responsible for maintaining telomere length at the ends of chromosomes [1]. Because of this physical proximity, genetic variations in this region often influence TERC expression and telomerase activity [2]. Consequently, this locus is a major genetic determinant of cellular aging and susceptibility to age-related diseases.
Variant Impact: The variant rs10936599 is a synonymous change located within the MYNN gene, meaning it does not alter the amino acid sequence of the myoneurin protein. However, it serves as a strong genetic marker for the neighboring TERC locus, directly affecting telomere biology [1]. The C allele is associated with higher expression of TERC, leading to longer telomeres in circulating white blood cells [1]. Conversely, the T allele is linked to reduced TERC expression and accelerated telomere shortening over time [2]. This functional impact creates a distinct biological trade-off between cellular longevity and the risk of uncontrolled cell replication.
Read on the Telomere Length page
Key Insight: This genetic marker reveals a direct biological trade-off where longer telomeres protect against cellular aging but increase the risk of several cancers.
Location: MYNN. Chromosome 3 · 3q26.2 · 169.8 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 63.1%; European 57.1%; African 87.3%; East Asian 18.9%; South Asian 53.4%; Americas 46.9%; Ashkenazi 67.9%; Finnish 54.1%; Middle Eastern 61.7%; Amish 81.6%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Global 31.1%; European 37.0%; African 12.3%; East Asian 49.2%; South Asian 39.3%; Americas 43.2%; Ashkenazi 29.0%; Finnish 38.9%; Middle Eastern 33.7%; Amish 17.4%.
Estimated CT genotype frequency.
Global 5.8%; European 6.0%; African 0.4%; East Asian 31.9%; South Asian 7.2%; Americas 9.9%; Ashkenazi 3.1%; Finnish 7.0%; Middle Eastern 4.6%; Amish 0.9%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Lifestyle, Fitness & Aging
Aging & Longevity
Biological Aging. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 21708826. Slower Aging.
Cancer & Oncology
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 21708826. Increased Risk.
Blood Cancers
Multiple Myeloma. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 23955597. ~1.26x Risk.
Urologic Cancers
Bladder Cancer. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 24163127. ~1.18x Risk.
Immunity & Inflammation
Autoimmune Diseases
Celiac Disease. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 20190752. Decreased Risk.
Multiple Sclerosis. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 21833088. ~1.1x Risk.
Showing effects for C/T genotype
Biological Aging. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 21708826. Typical.
Colorectal Cancer. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 21708826. Typical.
Multiple Myeloma. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 23955597. Typical.
Bladder Cancer. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 24163127. Typical.
Celiac Disease. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 20190752. Typical.
Multiple Sclerosis. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 21833088. Typical.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Biological Aging. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 21708826. Faster Aging.
Colorectal Cancer. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 21708826. Decreased Risk.
Multiple Myeloma. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 23955597. Decreased Risk.
Bladder Cancer. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 24163127. Decreased Risk.
Celiac Disease. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 20190752. ~1.12x Risk.
Multiple Sclerosis. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 21833088. Decreased Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Inheriting two copies of the C allele is associated with significantly longer telomeres in white blood cells, suggesting a slower rate of biological aging [1]. Longer telomeres allow cells to divide more times before reaching senescence, which may support overall tissue regeneration and longevity [1]. However, this delayed cellular senescence also means that damaged or mutated cells are less likely to self-destruct, potentially allowing them to accumulate further mutations. Consequently, this genotype is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma, bladder cancer, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia [2] [3] [4]. It is also associated with a slightly higher susceptibility to multiple sclerosis [5]. Conversely, the risk of developing celiac disease is lower with this genetic profile [6].
Longer telomeres and slower cellular aging; Increased risk of colorectal, bladder, and blood cancers; Slightly higher risk of multiple sclerosis.
Sample genotype: CT (Heterozygous)
Having a heterozygous genotype means possessing one allele associated with longer telomeres and one associated with shorter telomeres. This combination generally results in average telomere length and a typical rate of biological aging [1]. Because the opposing genetic influences balance each other out, there is no strong skew toward either extreme of cellular longevity or premature cellular senescence. The baseline risks for colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma, bladder cancer, and leukemia remain at average population levels [2] [3] [4]. Similarly, the susceptibility to autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis and celiac disease is not significantly altered from the typical baseline [5] [6]. This intermediate profile represents the most common genetic state in many global populations.
Average telomere length and typical cellular aging; Standard baseline risk for associated cancers; Typical risk for celiac disease and multiple sclerosis.
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the T allele is associated with shorter telomeres, which can accelerate the biological aging process of cells [1]. Shorter telomeres mean that cells reach their division limit sooner, leading to earlier cellular senescence and a higher rate of biological wear and tear [1]. While this faster aging is a disadvantage for tissue regeneration, it acts as a powerful defense mechanism against malignancy. Because cells self-destruct or stop dividing sooner, they are far less likely to form tumors. This genotype is linked to a significantly lower risk of colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma, bladder cancer, and leukemia [2] [3] [4]. However, there is a slightly increased susceptibility to celiac disease associated with this profile [5].
Shorter telomeres and faster cellular aging; Lower risk of colorectal, bladder, and blood cancers; Slightly increased risk of celiac disease.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs10069690 · TERT Gene · Chr 5 · Cellular Aging and Cancer Risk
rs2293607 · TERC Gene · Chr 3 · Cellular Aging and Cancer
rs9420907 · STN1 Gene · Chr 10 · Telomere Maintenance
The Association of MYNN and TERC Gene Polymorphisms and Bladder Cancer in a Turkish Population.
Common variation at 3q26.2, 6p21.33, 17p11.2 and 22q13.1 influences multiple myeloma risk.
Genome-wide association study identifies multiple loci associated with bladder cancer risk.
Genetic risk and a primary role for cell-mediated immune mechanisms in multiple sclerosis.
Multiple common variants for celiac disease influencing immune gene expression.
Content updated August 2026.
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