2023-12-16 11:00:00
New Research Suggests Clams Could Hold the Secret to Longevity
As humans live longer than ever before, the average life expectancy has increased by at least 20 years in the past 60 years. However, when compared to some other species, humans are still mere babies. Some giant tortoises can live to be at least 191 years old, green sea turtles can live more than 200 years, and Greenland sharks can easily reach 400 years old.
Despite the impressive long lifespans of these animals, researchers at the University of Bologna have turned their attention to a seemingly unlikely source for the secret to longevity: bivalve molluscs, such as clams and their relatives.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that some bivalve molluscs are extremely long-lived,” said researcher Mariangela Iannello from the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Bologna.
The team decided to study the genomes of four bivalve mollusc species, including the Arctic clam, which lived for 507 years, setting the record for the longest-lived non-domestic animal. They also studied other species that live between 150 and 190 years, along with 29 species with less remarkable longevity.
By comparing genomic data from different species, the team was able to identify genes associated with longevity. They discovered that some long-lived bivalves possess special genes that help repair DNA damage, control cell death, and respond to environmental stress, all of which are traits associated with longevity. The study also identified previously unknown proteins that may be involved in lifespan regulation.
The findings, published in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution, suggest that bivalve molluscs could serve as an excellent model system for studying aging and lifespan extension due to the wide range of lifespans within the same taxonomic group.
“This study is an important step towards our deeper understanding of the aging process and opens the possibility of using genome-wide data to explore previously unconsidered species in the study of aging,” said the researchers.
While the research has raised questions about the potential for clam-based anti-aging treatments, the scientists caution that aging is a complex process influenced by many factors and that more research is needed to fully understand and exploit these findings.
The discovery significantly expands our understanding of aging and has profound implications for our understanding of human biology, particularly the aging process. Furthermore, it suggests that nature can provide valuable insights into aging that could benefit humans in the future.
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Source of the first picture: Tomorrow Science
Internal image source: Bernard Picton ccBY4.0
Reference on the source: Signatures of Extreme Longevity: A Perspective from Bivalve Molecular Evolution. Genome Biology and Evolution at https://academic.oup.com/gbe/article/15/11/evad159/7255996
Further reading: Uncovering the secret of dolphin longevity, scientists discover potential essential fatty acid “C15:0” at https://tomorrowsci.com/medicalhealth/20231108_02/
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