Evolution We can only imagine being cancer-proof, but for naked mole rats it's reality. New research is lifting the curtain on how they've attained cancer immunity. It turns out mole rats can thank a substance named hyaluronan for their immunity. This sugar holds cells and tissues together and makes skin elastic (remember that later). Other animals, including us, posses hyaluronan, but mole rats produce a large amounts of long chains of it (over 5 times bigger than ours). These chains form a cage around cells, preventing potentially cancerous cells from replicating, and also controlling cell growth. Experiments revealed that without hyaluronan, mole rats cells could become cancerous. It's suggested that naked mole rats have cancer-resistance as a side effect of evolving stretchy skin. Not having fur means that their skin receives a great deal of stress when burrowing - without very stretchy skin and flexible tissue, they could cause themselves injury. This selection pressure gave them more and longer hyaluronan and as a consequence, cancer immunity. Other mechanisms may be at work as well as hyaluronan. The mole rat's genome has revealed several cancer-related genes that differ between them and other vertebrates. Similarly previous studies have suggested other mechanisms. "By looking at this completely weird and unusual organism, we can find some novel mechanisms that apply across mammals," said Chris Faulkes (Queen Mary, University of London). "Understanding some of these amazing things could have broad applicability for human health... It's possible that one day some of the cool features of the animals could be engineered into humans. But we may all end up looking like naked mole rats." Photo credit: Brandon Vick/University of Rochester. http://www.nature.com/news/simple-molecule-prevents-mole-rats-from-getting-cancer-1.13236 http://www.livescience.com/37555-cancer-resistance-naked-mole-rats.html http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21829224.800-naked-mole-rats-reveal-why-they-are-immune-to-cancer.html#.UcMJKfmZO8A http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/06/19/why-naked-mole-rats-dont-get-cancer/ We can only imagine being cancer-proof, but for naked mole rats it's reality. New research is lifting the curtain on how they've attained cancer immunity. It turns out mole rats can thank a substance named hyaluronan for their immunity. This sugar holds cells and tissues together and makes skin elastic (remember that later). Other animals, including us, posses hyaluronan, but mole rats produce a large amounts of long chains of it (over 5 times bigger than ours). These chains form a cage around cells, preventing potentially cancerous cells from replicating, and also controlling cell growth. Experiments revealed that without hyaluronan, mole rats cells could become cancerous. It's suggested that naked mole rats have cancer-resistance as a side effect of evolving stretchy skin. Not having fur means that their skin receives a great deal of stress when burrowing - without very stretchy skin and flexible tissue, they could cause themselves injury. This selection pressure gave them more and longer hyaluronan and as a consequence, cancer immunity. Other mechanisms may be at work as well as hyaluronan. The mole rat's genome has revealed several cancer-related genes that differ between them and other vertebrates. Similarly previous studies have suggested other mechanisms. "By looking at this completely weird and unusual organism, we can find some novel mechanisms that apply across mammals," said Chris Faulkes (Queen Mary, University of London). "Understanding some of these amazing things could have broad applicability for human health... It's possible that one day some of the cool features of the animals could be engineered into humans. But we may all end up looking like naked mole rats." Photo credit: Brandon Vick/University of Rochester. http://www.nature.com/news/simple-molecule-prevents-mole-rats-from-getting-cancer-1.13236 http://www.livescience.com/37555-cancer-resistance-naked-mole-rats.html http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21829224.800-naked-mole-rats-reveal-why-they-are-immune-to-cancer.html#.UcMJKfmZO8A http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/06/19/why-naked-mole-rats-dont-get-cancer/