Scientists unlock the longevity secrets of 194-year-old Jonathan the giant tortoise
The secret to Jonathan the tortoise’s extreme longevity may be in keeping genes tidy
Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise discovered on the South Atlantic island of Saint Helena, has broken the record for the oldest known land animal, living to at least 194 years old. Scientists sought to understand his exceptional longevity by examining his DNA. Joe Hollins obtained DNA samples by pretending to feed the tortoise, carefully scraping cells from his cheek, a delicate and dangerous process.
Comparative analysis revealed that Jonathan's DNA showed unique gene variants, particularly in DNA repair mechanisms. The study, published in Science Advances, found that Jonathan's genetic entropy, a measure of gene regulation disorder, was higher than typical for tortoises aged 12 or 90. However, in 272 of his genes related to mitochondrial function, the genetic tags remained consistent, potentially contributing to his longevity.
This suggests a feedback loop where pristine mitochondria generate energy to maintain their own health. While the study identifies potential longevity genes, challenges remain in verifying their accuracy due to the contamination of DNA samples taken from cheek cells. Future research could explore whether Jonathan's genetic tidiness is a cause or consequence of his extended lifespan.
Written by urgent.news from Scientific American's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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