The lifespan of the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) often exceeds 200 years. Scientists have discovered one of the reasons why these mammals live so long without suffering from cancer and other age-related diseases.
The results of a study published in the journal Nature may suggest new ways to extend human life.
Every autumn in northern Alaska, hunters collect tissue samples from bowhead whales. Students working with study co-author V. Gorbunova travel north to obtain these samples for analysis.
Scientists hypothesized that the cells of Balaena mysticetus have increased resistance to tumor development. However, it turned out that fewer mutations are required to turn whale cells malignant than human cells. At the same time, mutations in whales occur significantly less frequently.
Researchers found that the reason lies in the protein CIRBP, which is activated at low temperatures and helps repair damaged DNA.
To understand whether this protein could be beneficial to humans, further research will be needed. Nevertheless, the results highlight how important the ability of cells to repair DNA is for longevity and cancer prevention.
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