Key Points:
- University of Pretoria (UP) scientists have contributed to discovering how naked mole rats resist heart attacks and bowel cancer.
- The findings, published in two Nature Communications papers, add to the list of mole rat "superpowers" including slower ageing and natural pain resistance.
- UP's specialized mole rat laboratory, led by Prof Nigel Bennett, was crucial for the research.
- The studies could inform human health interventions, particularly in cancer prevention and heart disease treatment.
- UP's unique collection of mole rat species, many exclusive to South Africa, positions the university as a key collaborator in global mole rat research.
Bowel Cancer Resistance: A Closer Look
The research team’s investigation into bowel cancer resistance in naked mole rats revealed fascinating insights. Dr Hart explains that the intestinal crypt, a small pocket at the base of the intestine where stem cells are found, is typically the best place to study colon cancer in mammals. In most animals, including mice, exposure to cancer-causing agents targeting these stem cells is fatal.
However, naked mole rats demonstrated an extraordinary ability to withstand such threats. “We saw no physical damage in the animal when we attempted to induce the precursor to colon cancer, and no signs of distress – just business as usual,” Dr Hart reports. Further investigation revealed that the stem cells in naked mole rats simply stopped dividing to protect themselves against damage from the cancer-causing chemical, effectively entering a dormant stage until the threat passed.
Heart Attack Resilience: Defying Expectations
In a separate study, researchers attempted to induce heart attacks in naked mole rats, as they would typically do with mice and other mammals. To their astonishment, the mole rats’ hearts continued beating and suffered almost no damage, even when deprived of oxygen and nutrients. The research team went on to identify specific metabolic and genetic adaptations that protect the naked mole rat’s heart under these extreme conditions.
UP's Unique Contribution to Global Research
Much of the experimentation behind these discoveries was conducted at UP’s specialized mole rat laboratory, established by Prof Bennett. This facility, recently featured in the BBC documentary series “Mammals,” houses about eight different mole rat species, many of which are unique to South Africa and exclusively studied there.
Dr Hart emphasizes the importance of UP’s role in this research: “We have opportunities to work with some of the best scientists and laboratories in the world because we have these mole rats. We aren’t just seen as a source of material or source of potential, but as equal collaborators.”
The UP lab’s unique collection of mole rat species positions it as a crucial resource for international researchers. Scientists working on more common global species like the naked mole rat often look to UP for evolutionary comparisons and cross-species studies, enhancing the depth and breadth of mole rat research worldwide.
Implications for Human Health
The discoveries made by UP researchers and their international collaborators could have far-reaching implications for human health. The genetic markers identified in the heart attack study, for instance, could potentially inform gene therapies for equivalent human genes, opening new avenues for heart disease treatment.
Similarly, the insights gained from the bowel cancer study could lead to new approaches in cancer prevention and treatment. By understanding how naked mole rats’ stem cells protect themselves against cancer-causing agents, researchers may be able to develop strategies to enhance human cells’ resistance to cancer.
The Future of Mole Rat Research
As UP continues to play a pivotal role in mole rat research, the potential for further discoveries remains high. The university’s specialized facilities and expertise position it at the forefront of this field, promising ongoing contributions to our understanding of these extraordinary creatures and their potential applications to human health.
Dr Hart and Prof Bennett’s work exemplifies the critical role that African institutions can play in global scientific research. By leveraging unique local resources and expertise, UP is not only advancing our understanding of mole rat biology but also contributing to potential breakthroughs in human medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Mole rats possess extraordinary abilities including resistance to cancer, heart attacks, slower aging, and natural pain resistance.
Their intestinal stem cells enter a dormant stage when exposed to cancer-causing agents, protecting themselves from damage.
Their unique biological traits offer insights into potential treatments for human diseases like cancer and heart conditions.
It houses several mole rat species unique to South Africa, providing valuable resources for global comparative studies
The genetic and cellular mechanisms discovered in mole rats could inform new approaches to cancer prevention and heart disease treatment in humans.
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