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Identification of the biological mechanisms underlying extraordinary longevity in naked mole rat

Kyoko Miura (photo)

Kyoko Miura

Research SiteKumamoto University
Faculty of Life Sciences
Associate Professor

Content

Naked mole rat (NMR) is one of only two eusocial mammals like ant or bee. Surprisingly, NMR’s maximum lifespan exceeds 30 years although their body size is same of mouse. They show lack of an age-related increase in mortality and high fecundity until death, indicating their negligible senescence. Moreover, these animals have never been observed any spontaneous tumor formation. We are trying to identify the genes contributing to the NMR’s negligible senescence. Ultimately, we will create "senescence-resistant" transgenic mice by introducing selected naked mole-rat genes.

Publication

  1. Miyawaki S, Kawamura Y, Oiwa Y, Shimizu A, Hachiya T, Bono H, Koya I, Okada Y, Kimura T, Tsuchiya Y, Suzuki S, Onishi N, Kuzumaki N, Matsuzaki Y, Narita M, Ikeda E, Okanoya K, Seino K, Saya H, Okano H, Miura K.
    Tumour resistance in induced pluripotent stem cells derived from naked mole-rats.
    Nature Communications, 2016, 10;7:11471
  2. Miyawaki S, Kawamura Y, Hachiya T Shimizu A, Miura K.
    Molecular cloning and characterization of the Ink4a and ARF genes in naked mole-rat.
    Inflammation and Regeneration, 2014, 35(1):42-50