Why the Naked Mole Rat Does Not Age? 0 69

It turns out that nature does not have a single "key" to immortality. Instead, it has created a whole complex of mechanisms that work in perfect harmony.

Firstly, it is the highest precision and efficiency of DNA repair systems. Naked mole rat cells accumulate almost no mutations and damage, which in other mammals, including humans, are the main causes of aging and the development of cancerous tumors. This is why mole rats rarely suffer from cancer.

Secondly, a special type of hyaluronic acid plays an important role. Its high molecular weight form is synthesized in the intercellular substance of the naked mole rat. It not only makes the skin elastic but also serves as a powerful natural barrier to uncontrolled cell division.

Thirdly, the proteins exhibit incredible stability. Even under the influence of stress factors that cause proteins in other animals to denature and lose function, the "molecules of life" in the mole rat maintain their proper structure and continue to function effectively.

Finally, life in hypoxic conditions also contributes. The constant lack of oxygen in the underground tunnels has taught the mole rat's body not just to survive but to thrive in such an environment. Their cells and mitochondria operate in a special, gentle mode, minimizing the production of aggressive reactive oxygen species that damage cells and accelerate aging.

Thus, the naked mole rat is an example of a creature that does not fight aging but is originally programmed for a long and healthy life thanks to a whole arsenal of built-in protective systems.

Interesting Facts About the Naked Mole Rat

Naked mole rats communicate in a "dialect" of their colony, manipulate their incisors, do not feel pain, do not maintain a constant body temperature, and survive in low-oxygen conditions.

These small rodents constantly communicate through quiet chirps and squeaks. Studies have shown that the set of sounds and their frequency differ from colony to colony, forming a kind of "cultural" identity. The young learn the "dialect" of their colony, but if they are moved to another, they can learn a new "language."

Naked mole rats have learned to use their incisors with incredible precision. These teeth can move independently of each other, almost like a pair of manipulators. The animal is capable of using one incisor to, for example, pry and break off a piece of root, while the other tooth serves as support.

The skin cells of the naked mole rat lack the substance responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain. Therefore, cuts and burns do not cause them suffering. Moreover, their skin is insensitive to acids and the caustic capsaicin that makes chili peppers hot.

The naked mole rat is the only known mammal that cannot maintain a constant body temperature. It depends on the ambient temperature and is forced to constantly move through its tunnels in search of the most comfortable "climatic zone."

In the burrows, the concentration of carbon dioxide can reach 10%, while oxygen can drop catastrophically. However, mole rats have adapted to this. They can live without oxygen for up to 20 minutes, and after the "turning on" of air, they do not suffer from oxidative stress, which kills brain cells in other mammals.