Naked mole rats may reveal secrets of longevity

At a research center in San Antonio, where more than 1,000 mole rats have their home, scientists have unmasked the molecular machinery of these subterranean rodents that seems to impact their longevity. Specifically, researchers at the U.T. Health Science Center's Barshop Institute for Aging Studies, have found that mole rats have an internal "disposal system" that enables them to get rid of damaged proteins more efficiently than other animals. Rochelle Buffenstein, Ph.D., professor of physiology at the U.T. Health Science Center, notes that other rodents of similar size should live about three-and-a-half years. However, when referring to mole rats living at the Center, she says, "I have animals that are, I think, more than 30 years of age." Asish Chaudhuri, Ph.D., anti-aging researcher at the U.T. Health Science Center notes that "their disposal system, which is like a garbage disposal system, is working efficiently. They work really, really great. So that's why they always maintain the good proteins throughout their life span."

Mole rats not only live longer, but they also do not go through menopause, nor do they suffer from mental decline, cancer and other conditions commonly associated with aging. "We know the mole rat has very high levels of oxidative damage, but it doesn't seem to cause any problem to them," says Dr. Buffenstein. "We think the stuff we are doing with protein stability and protein protection is going to be a better component and a new direction for aging research. If we can work out the mechanisms of where you facilitate this protection, it is not a far step from doing some kind of intervention."

The hope is that scientists will be able to develop new kinds of preventive medicine that gives humans the biological immunity of mole rats, which are native to arid regions of East Africa and live in underground colonies. "The next step is to see if these same protective proteins can be used to extend the lifespan of animals with shorter lives," explains Asish Chaudhuri, who works with Dr. Buffenstein. "If we can identify these proteins that protect the naked mole rat, those proteins can be used as drugs in short-lived animals to see if their proteins are protected or not." The team's research was published in the February 16^th issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

News Release: Naked mole rats' longevity holds promise for humans  www.kvue.com February 25, 2009

News Release: Scientists spill secrets of naked rat  www.mysanantonionews.com  February 19, 2009