
Unlocking the Secret to the Longevity of Naked Mole-Rats
The naked mole-rat, a burrowing rodent known for its surprising life span, has intrigued scientists for years. Its longevity - up to 37 years, a tenfold increase over similar-sized rodents - makes it a fascinating subject for researchers seeking to understand the mechanisms behind aging. The secret to these rodents' long lives is a novel adaptation in a protein that enhances DNA repair. This breakthrough discovery was shared in a recent scientific study.
The Impact of DNA Damage
In all living organisms, including humans, one of the primary factors of aging is the accumulation of damaged DNA. DNA serves as a blueprint for our body, instructing cells on how to function and grow. Over time, this blueprint can become damaged and if this damage isn't corrected, it can result in malfunctioning cells, defective proteins and eventually, a breakdown of the body's functions.
How Naked Mole-Rats Resist DNA Damage
Researchers from a prominent university in China led a study to pinpoint why naked mole-rats are so resilient to DNA damage. They focused their attention on a protein known as cGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase), widely found in mammals. While cGAS generally disrupts DNA repair in most mammals, the scientists hypothesized that it may have a different function in naked mole-rats.
On comparing the cGAS protein in naked mole-rats with that of humans and mice, the team identified four changes in amino acids (the building blocks of cGAS) that altered the protein's function. These changes allowed the cGAS protein to enhance a cell's ability to repair damaged DNA.
Testing the Longevity Theory
The researchers conducted several experiments to test this theory. First, they introduced the unique cGAS found in mole-rats into human and mouse cells in a lab setting. The results were remarkable - these cells showed a significant improvement in their ability to repair DNA and a reduction in signs of aging.
Next, they engineered fruit flies to produce the same type of cGAS found in naked mole-rats. Remarkably, these genetically altered fruit flies lived about ten days longer than their normal counterparts. Lastly, using gene therapy, they introduced the mole-rat's cGAS into mice. The treated mice showed fewer signs of aging, including less gray hair and a lower count of old, deteriorated cells across various organs.
The researchers concluded that this modification in cGAS provides naked mole-rats with an enhanced ability to stabilize their DNA, resist cellular aging and organ deterioration, and live longer, healthier lives.
Could This Lead to Increased Human Longevity?
Discoveries like these naturally lead to speculation about whether similar modifications to human cGAS could increase our own longevity. While it's a tantalizing possibility, we're still a long way off from such an application. Nonetheless, this research provides a new avenue for scientists to explore in the development of treatments for age-related illnesses.