Bowhead Whale’s DNA Repair Mechanism Holds Promise for Human Longevity
The bowhead whale, capable of living over 200 years, is gaining attention as a potential key to understanding and combating aging and cancer in humans. Evolutionary geneticist dr. Alex Cagan of the Wellcome Sanger Institute calls the species “the superstar of longevity.” Recent research is pinpointing a unique biological mechanism responsible for the whale’s remarkable lifespan.
Published in the journal Nature, a study by scientists at the University of Rochester, New York, identified a protein called CIRBP (Cold-inducible RNA Binding Protein) as central to the whale’s cellular health.CIRBP facilitates exceptionally accurate DNA repair within the whale’s cells.
“This protein prevents the advancement of cancer and significantly slows down cell aging. It is extremely resistant to mutations even when its DNA is damaged,” explained Prof. Vera Gorbunova, lead author of the research.
The effectiveness of CIRBP isn’t limited to bowhead whales. Laboratory tests demonstrated that transferring the protein to human cells resulted in more precise and rapid DNA repair. Further experiments showed CIRBP extended the lifespan of fruit flies, suggesting a broader applicability of the protein’s benefits. Researchers believe these findings could pave the way for future therapies aimed at extending human life.
The whale’s environment may also play a crucial role. Scientists hypothesize that the cold Arctic waters inhabited by bowhead whales activate this repair mechanism. CIRBP levels were observed to increase at lower temperatures,bolstering the whale’s cellular repair capabilities.
Dr. Cagan emphasized the meaning of the discovery, stating, “The results are extremely convincing. If confirmed by other laboratories, these findings could revolutionize the fight against aging and cancer.” The research underscores the potential for unlocking human longevity by studying the extraordinary biological adaptations of this long-lived marine mammal.
