The suppressors of tumors present in humans is more effective in bats. Oncology may have a lot to learn from these animals.
Many bats can live 35 years, the equivalent of 180 human years, without developing cancer. Finally, a team of scientists begins to realize why.
A new one published in the magazine Nature found that bats have a sophisticated anti-tumor defense system which combines repair genes, anti-aging enzymes and an exceptional immune system. And this can even be the Key for future human treatments.
Like humans, these animals have the gene p53an acquaintance Tumors Suppressor capable of locking the cancer. But while in humans mutations in this gene – which limit their function – are present in half the cancers, bats have two copies, with higher activity.
“High levels of P53 allow cancer cells to be eliminated before they become harmful through apoptosis (programmed cell death) ”, explained Gorbunova, professor of biology and medicine in Rochester. We have confirmed that increased P53 activity is an effective strategy against cancer.
Another key to the absence of cancer in the bats is the telomerasean enzyme related to cell division. In most mammals, telomerase activity decreases with age, contributing to aging. But not in the case of bats-on the contrary, this enzyme remains active.
Bats are known to host deadly viruses such as Ébola or SARS-COV-2 (the Covid-19 virus) without being sick thanks to a hyper-efficient immune system. We can have a lot to learn from these strong animals.
