Authors
Michael Keane, Jeremy Semeiks, Andrew E Webb, Yang I Li, Víctor Quesada, Thomas Craig, Lone Bruhn Madsen, Sipko van Dam, David Brawand, Patrícia I Marques, Pawel Michalak, Lin Kang, Jong Bhak, Hyung-Soon Yim, Nick V Grishin, Nynne Hjort Nielsen, Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen, Elias M Oziolor, Cole W Matson, George M Church, Gary W Stuart, John C Patton, J Craig George, Robert Suydam, Knud Larsen, Carlos López-Otín, Mary J O’Connell, John W Bickham, Bo Thomsen, João Pedro de Magalhães
Publication date
2015/1/6
Journal
Cell reports
Volume
10
Issue
1
Pages
112-122
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is estimated to live over 200 years and is possibly the longest-living mammal. These animals should possess protective molecular adaptations relevant to age-related diseases, particularly cancer. Here, we report the sequencing and comparative analysis of the bowhead whale genome and two transcriptomes from different populations. Our analysis identifies genes under positive selection and bowhead-specific mutations in genes linked to cancer and aging. In addition, we identify gene gain and loss involving genes associated with DNA repair, cell-cycle regulation, cancer, and aging. Our results expand our understanding of the evolution of mammalian longevity and suggest possible players involved in adaptive genetic changes conferring cancer resistance. We also found potentially relevant changes in genes related to additional processes, including thermoregulation …
Scholar articles
M Keane, J Semeiks, AE Webb, YI Li, V Quesada… - Cell reports, 2015