Health & Medicine
Chemical Behind Cancer Resistance in Naked Mole Rats Discovered
Benita Matilda
First Posted: Jun 20, 2013 09:34 AM EDT
Researchers from the University of Rochester have discovered a chemical in naked mole rats that make them resistant to cancer. This finding could lead to the development of novel cancer treatments.
This research was led by scientists Andrei Seluanov and Vera Gorbunova who published their report in the journal Nature
Despite having a 30 year lifespan, the small and hairless naked mole rats that are subterranean rodents are never attacked by cancer. In this study the researchers found that the tissues of these rodents are rich in high molecular hyaluronan (HMW-HA) that protects them from cancer.
The researchers examined the cultures of the animals' tissue and noticed a 'gooey substance' that appeared to clog the tubing and this was unique to the naked mole rat.
"We needed to understand what the goo was," said Andrei Seluanov, who led the study with Vera Gorbunova.
The substance was identified as HMW-HA that forced them to believe that it could play a major role in making the rodent cancer-resistant because when they removed HMW-HA from the cells, they became more vulnerable to tumors.
Apart from this, the team also identified a gene, HAS2 that was responsible for creating HMW-HA in naked mole rats. What surprised the researchers was that the HAS2 gene in naked mole rats was different from that of other animals. Also the rodents were slow in recycling the HMW-HA, which led to the buildup of chemicals in the animal's tissue.
Next, the team hopes to test the effectiveness of HMW-HA in mice. If it works out then they plan on experimenting with the chemical on human cells.
"There's indirect evidence that HMW-HA would work in people," said Seluanov. "It's used in anti-wrinkle injections and to relieve pain from arthritis in knee joints, without any adverse effects. Our hope is that it can also induce an anti-cancer response."
"A lot of cancer research focuses on animals that are prone to cancer," said Gorbunova. "We think it's possible to learn strategies for preventing tumors by studying animals that are cancer-proof."
The researchers state Hyaluronan (HA) makes the tissues flexible and helps in the healing process and is found in high concentrations in the skin of naked mole rats.
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First Posted: Jun 20, 2013 09:34 AM EDT
Researchers from the University of Rochester have discovered a chemical in naked mole rats that make them resistant to cancer. This finding could lead to the development of novel cancer treatments.
This research was led by scientists Andrei Seluanov and Vera Gorbunova who published their report in the journal Nature
Despite having a 30 year lifespan, the small and hairless naked mole rats that are subterranean rodents are never attacked by cancer. In this study the researchers found that the tissues of these rodents are rich in high molecular hyaluronan (HMW-HA) that protects them from cancer.
The researchers examined the cultures of the animals' tissue and noticed a 'gooey substance' that appeared to clog the tubing and this was unique to the naked mole rat.
"We needed to understand what the goo was," said Andrei Seluanov, who led the study with Vera Gorbunova.
The substance was identified as HMW-HA that forced them to believe that it could play a major role in making the rodent cancer-resistant because when they removed HMW-HA from the cells, they became more vulnerable to tumors.
Apart from this, the team also identified a gene, HAS2 that was responsible for creating HMW-HA in naked mole rats. What surprised the researchers was that the HAS2 gene in naked mole rats was different from that of other animals. Also the rodents were slow in recycling the HMW-HA, which led to the buildup of chemicals in the animal's tissue.
Next, the team hopes to test the effectiveness of HMW-HA in mice. If it works out then they plan on experimenting with the chemical on human cells.
"There's indirect evidence that HMW-HA would work in people," said Seluanov. "It's used in anti-wrinkle injections and to relieve pain from arthritis in knee joints, without any adverse effects. Our hope is that it can also induce an anti-cancer response."
"A lot of cancer research focuses on animals that are prone to cancer," said Gorbunova. "We think it's possible to learn strategies for preventing tumors by studying animals that are cancer-proof."
The researchers state Hyaluronan (HA) makes the tissues flexible and helps in the healing process and is found in high concentrations in the skin of naked mole rats.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone