New research on Greenland sharks reveals genetic traits linked to their 400-year lifespan and resistance to cancer. Multiple copies of genes related to immune function and DNA repair may hold key insights for human aging and health.
Greenland sharks, the mysterious giants of the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, are known to be the longest-living vertebrates on Earth, with lifespans reaching up to 400 years. This remarkable longevity has puzzled scientists for years. While initially attributed to their cold habitat and slow movements, new research into the sharks' DNA is shedding light on the genetic secrets behind their extraordinary lifespans.
A recent study by researchers in Japan, who sequenced the genome of the Greenland shark, has revealed surprising genetic traits that could explain why these creatures don’t commonly develop cancer and why they age so slowly. The team discovered multiple copies of genes that affect the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is crucial for immune system function and regulating inflammation. When disrupted, this pathway allows harmful pathogens and tumor cells to thrive. A strong, functioning NF-κB pathway may be key to the shark’s impressive health and longevity.
Interestingly, Greenland sharks are not alone in this unique genetic feature. The red sea urchin, another long-living marine species, also has multiple copies of genes related to this pathway, supporting the idea that enhanced immune system regulation contributes to extended lifespans in marine animals.
Further research on the Greenland shark's genome also identified additional clues to their remarkable age. Scientists found multiple copies of 81 genes involved in DNA repair, including an altered version of the TP53 gene, which plays a critical role in suppressing tumors and repairing DNA damage. This mutation may also contribute to the shark’s extraordinary ability to fend off cancer and age more slowly.
Although humans will likely never reach the Greenland shark's lifespan, the insights from studying these creatures may eventually benefit human medicine. Experts suggest that the genetic mechanisms found in Greenland sharks could lead to advancements in treatments that promote healthier aging, such as new pharmaceuticals or gene therapies. As João Pedro de Magalhães, a molecular biogerontologist at the University of Birmingham, noted, “These animals live longer than human beings, without the help of medicine, hospitals, or healthcare.”
The genetic findings on Greenland sharks suggest a fascinating link between immune response, inflammation, tumor suppression, and longevity. Shigeharu Kinoshita, a researcher at the University of Tokyo and co-author of the study, pointed out that the increase in genes involved in NF-κB signaling could be directly tied to the shark's ability to live so long. This opens up the possibility of future medical breakthroughs based on the shark's genetic secrets.
To explore this further, scientists plan to continue their research, examining not just the shark's genome but also its metabolism, heart function, behavior, and ecology. Some hope to compare the genetic makeup of the Greenland shark with other long-lived species, such as the bowhead whale, to uncover more about the biological mechanisms behind extreme longevity.
Understanding aging is a complex challenge, and while scientists do not yet have all the answers, the continued study of Greenland sharks could bring us closer to solving this puzzle, benefiting both human health and our understanding of life’s most enduring creatures.
Election posters from the Inuit Ataqatigiit party are seen in Nuuk ahead of the March 11th general election in Greenland.
U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his interest in acquiring Greenland, promising prosperity and security for the island. While most Greenlanders oppose U.S. ownership, the move has fuelled independence talks. Denmark insists Greenland is not for sale, citing strong U.S.-NATO ties.
Greenland wants to ban receiving contributions from foreign or anonymous donors, according to a bill unveiled Monday, amid statements of US President Donald Trump to acquire the autonomous Danish territory.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that President Trump’s proposal to purchase Greenland is a serious strategic move, not a joke. He suggested that negotiations should be handled diplomatically, as reports indicate tensions between Trump and Denmark’s Prime Minister.
A new opinion poll shows 85% of Greenlanders oppose the idea of their island joining the United States, following Donald Trump's repeated calls for the US to take control of the semi-autonomous territory.
Syria’s leader Ahmed Sharaa vowed on Sunday to pursue those responsible for violent clashes between loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad and the country’s new rulers. He warned that foreign powers were fueling unrest and pledged accountability for those exceeding their authority.
The United States is open to exploring a critical minerals partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo, the State Department said on Sunday, as Kinshasa weighs new investment ties. The talks come as Congo faces ongoing conflict with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
Russian forces recaptured three more settlements in the western Kursk region, the Defence Ministry said on Sunday, as Moscow pushes to reclaim territory seized by Ukraine last August.
New research on Greenland sharks reveals genetic traits linked to their 400-year lifespan and resistance to cancer. Multiple copies of genes related to immune function and DNA repair may hold key insights for human aging and health.
A recent Brazilian study suggests that fish oil may play a key role in reducing insulin resistance and improving glucose tolerance, offering hope for non-obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, will chair the 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting hosted this year by Turkmenistan, in Ashgabat, on 4 March.
Heavy rainfall in northwestern Peru has caused a river to overflow, destroying infrastructure, flooding agricultural lands, and affecting at least 150 families in Tumbes province.
Two buses have collided in Barcelona today, Monday 3 March which has left 51 people injured, four of which are said to be critical.
A new MIT study confirms that the ozone hole over Antarctica is healing, thanks to global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances, with full recovery possible in the next decade.
Torrential rains triggered severe flooding in eastern Spain on Thursday, sweeping away cars and forcing school evacuations. Authorities closed roads in Murcia, Valencia, and Catalonia, with officials urging residents to stay indoors.
Despite the US exit from the Paris Agreement, UK climate envoy Rachel Kyte reaffirms Britain’s commitment to climate goals, stressing the importance of global action and green energy investments.
The United Nations Development Programme has kicked off a project aimed at supporting the resilience of agricultural production and conserving ecosystems in Northern Kazakhstan.
A "doomsday" vault storing food crop seeds from around the world in man-made caves on a remote Norwegian Arctic island will receive more than 14,000 new samples on Tuesday, a custodian of the facility said.
Syria’s leader Ahmed Sharaa vowed on Sunday to pursue those responsible for violent clashes between loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad and the country’s new rulers. He warned that foreign powers were fueling unrest and pledged accountability for those exceeding their authority.
The United States is open to exploring a critical minerals partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo, the State Department said on Sunday, as Kinshasa weighs new investment ties. The talks come as Congo faces ongoing conflict with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
Russian forces recaptured three more settlements in the western Kursk region, the Defence Ministry said on Sunday, as Moscow pushes to reclaim territory seized by Ukraine last August.
New research on Greenland sharks reveals genetic traits linked to their 400-year lifespan and resistance to cancer. Multiple copies of genes related to immune function and DNA repair may hold key insights for human aging and health.
A recent Brazilian study suggests that fish oil may play a key role in reducing insulin resistance and improving glucose tolerance, offering hope for non-obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment