Another secret of longevity of naked diggers
Efficient recycling of protein waste
Some consider naked diggers disgusting, while others adore these rodents. However, whatever you say, these animals are very strange creatures.
They form social groups headed by "queens" that resemble bees, are completely hairless, blind, live in stuffy underground burrows and are inevitably exposed to increased exposure to reactive oxygen species, which, however, does not prevent them from living longer than all other rodents (up to 30 years). At the same time, they do not have oncological diseases.
Researchers from the University of Texas, working under the leadership of Rochelle Buffenstein, continued their work, which resulted in the identification of the unique stability of all proteins that form the body of naked diggers throughout the life of animals. They decided to check how the mechanisms of synthesis and cleavage of diggers' proteins differ from the corresponding mechanisms of other rodents.
It turned out that the cells of the mysterious animals contain more protein-synthesizing organelles (ribosomes) and protein-destroying structures (proteasomes). This means that protein metabolism in the cells of naked diggers occurs faster than in the cells of other rodents. From the point of view of aging, this factor is very important, since it provides rapid disposal of proteins damaged as a result of exposure to free radicals released during the vital activity of cells. Experts believe that the accumulation of damage caused by free radicals leads to the extinction of functions, the development of diseases and aging.
An interesting observation is that, in addition to the increased content of the total number of proteasomes, the cells of naked diggers are characterized by an abnormally large number of immunoproteosomes – structures that ensure the cleavage of proteins involved in the activation of the immune system. These organelles are usually found in the cells of the spleen and thymus.
Article by Karl A. Rodriguez et al. An Altered Composition of Liver Proteasome Assemblies Contributes to Enhanced Proteasome Activity in the Exceptionally Long-Lived Naked Mole-Rat is published in the journal PLoS ONE.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the University of Texas Health Science Center:
Scientists find differences in long-lived rodent’s protein handlers.
14.05.2012