SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Oct. 12, 2011) Scientists have sequenced the complete genome of the naked mole rat, a pivotal step to understanding the animal's extraordinarily long life and good health. A colony of more than 2,000 naked mole rats at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio contributed to the findings, published today in the journal Nature.
"If we understand which genes are different or are expressed differently in naked mole rats compared to short-lived mice that clearly have poor defenses against aging and cancer we might find clues as to why the naked mole rat is able to extend both health span and longevity, as well as fight cancer, and this information could be directly relevant and translatable to humans," said Rochelle Buffenstein, Ph.D., professor of physiology at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, part of the UT Health Science Center San Antonio. Dr. Buffenstein worked on the study with Thomas Park, Ph.D., of the University of Chicago; Vadim Gladyshev, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School; the Beijing Genomics Institute; and other collaborators.
Rodent Methuselahs
The mouse-sized naked mole rat is the longest-lived rodent known, surviving up to 31 years in captivity. This is much longer than its laboratory rodent relatives, and the naked mole rat maintains good health and reproductive potential well into its third decade. Naked mole rats live underground in large family groups, like termites and bees, with only a single breeding female. These social rodents are extremely tolerant of life in low oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide.
The naked mole rat's capacity to resist cancer and maintain protein integrity in the face of oxidative damage makes it an ideal animal model for aging and biomedical research, Dr. Buffenstein said. "Deciphering the animal's genetic blueprint is an important step to unlocking the keys to the naked mole rat's extraordinary lon
'/>"/>
| Contact: Will Sansom sansom@uthscsa.edu 210-567-2579 University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Ontario Cancer Institute, US scientists discover compound that kills lymphoma cells
2. House Ear Institute, TGen and Belgian researchers identify gene in age-related hearing loss
3. New research: Are global honey bee declines caused by diesel pollution?
4. Global conservation priorities for marine turtles
5. Bionic bacteria may help fight disease and global warming
6. Steep increase in global CO2 emissions despite reductions by industrialized countries
7. Scientific support for food security and global governance
8. Global science community to gather in Rome
9. Water evaporated from trees cools global climate
10. SDSC-developed software used in first global camera trap mammal study
11. ARGOS proceedings examine global health policy challenges, socioeconomic impact of eHealth
 |
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |