What’s the Secret to Bats’ Super Longevity?
Multiples of immune proteins give them an edge in fixing cell damage The post What’s the Secret to Bats’ Super Longevity? appeared first on Nautilus .
Bats showcase two remarkable traits: their ability to harbor multiple viruses without falling ill, and their unexpectedly long lifespans. A study published in Nature today delved into the genetic basis of these traits, revealing a potential link between the two. Researchers from the University of Vermont and Penn State University examined Myotis bats, the largest family of bats, and found that they possess multiple copies of a gene crucial for immunity.
This gene, akin to protein kinase t in other mammals, helps repair or eliminate damaged cells when exposed to pathogens like pox viruses. This unique mechanism not only enables bats to resist viruses but also resists cancer, contributing to their longevity. Understanding how this diverse bat genus, with over 139 species, developed such robust disease defenses could help prevent zoonotic disease transmission and potentially extend human lifespans.
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