In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have cracked the DNA code of the longest living mammal, the bowhead whale, revealing a mechanism that could potentially prolong the human lifespan by centuries.
The bowhead whale that can live for more than 200 years could hold the key to long human life.
Scientists have identified a protein in the ocean giant that helps the species keep cancers at bay by reconstructing damaged DNA.
However, the 80-tonne creature is the longest-living mammal because the CIRBP protein-short for “could inducible RNA-binding protein”-allows the whale to efficiently repair its damaged DNA.
In this connection, scientists at the University of Rochester in New York recognized the powerful protein when they added it to human cells.
Upon adding the protein to fruit flies, it even prolonged their lives.
The study author, Professor Vera Gorbunova, said that the findings could lead to new investments in a new future where “humans live longer than the typical human lifespan.”
It has been observed that the bowhead whale, found in arctic waters, can live for at least 250 years, and despite having billions of cells, it infrequently develops the cancers that threaten the human body.
Moreover, bigger animals such as whales and elephants should have an increased risk of death as they have more cells dividing over a longer period of time.
On the contrary, when cells divide and replicate, they copy their DNA for the daughter cells, but if part of the DNA sequence is incorrect, it can ultimately lead to a mutation and a possible tumor.
Gorbunova and her team primarily concluded that the whales were able to handle numerous genetic changes that would normally trigger a tumor.
Further research showed that the whales experienced less cancer-causing mutations due to CIRBP.
The protein helps to restore breakages in the strand of DNA, which is considered the most dangerous form of genetic damage.
The study suggests that the bowhead whales were able to repair their cells better than humans, allowing their DNA to stay intact for a longer period of time.
Nonetheless, scientists are already exploring how exposure to mild to colder temperatures could help protect humans from illness.
The research team can further perform tests in smaller, short-lived mammals building on the initial discovery from the 20-metre whale.
In conclusion, the research identified a key mechanism for extreme longevity, providing a plausible pathway to extend the maximum human lifespan.
