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Leveraging CyVerse Resources for De Novo Comparative Transcriptomics of Underserved Non-model Organisms
Published on: May 9, 2017
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Longitudinal comparative transcriptomics reveals unique mechanisms underlying extended healthspan in bats
Zixia Huang1, Conor V Whelan1, Nicole M Foley1
1School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science Centre West, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Nature Ecology & Evolution
|June 12, 2019
Summary
Bats possess unique gene expression patterns linked to DNA repair and immunity, contributing to their exceptional longevity. These findings reveal novel molecular pathways for healthy aging in mammals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Comparative genomics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Bats exhibit remarkable longevity relative to body size among mammals.
- The molecular basis for extended healthspans in bats remains largely unexplored.
- Understanding bat aging mechanisms could offer insights into human aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related transcriptomic changes in long-lived bats (Myotis myotis).
- To compare bat aging transcriptomes with those of other mammals.
- To identify molecular pathways and microRNA regulation contributing to bat longevity.
Main Methods:
- An eight-year longitudinal study involving 150 blood samples from aged bats.
- Deep RNA sequencing of bat blood samples (~1.7 trillion base pairs).
- Comparative analysis of 298 longitudinal RNA sequencing datasets from various mammals.
Main Results:
- Bats display distinct age-related gene expression patterns, differing from humans and other mammals.
- Identified unique signatures associated with DNA repair, autophagy, immunity, and tumor suppression in aging bats.
- Discovered novel genes and microRNA regulatory networks implicated in healthy aging.
Conclusions:
- Bats have evolved specific transcriptomic signatures that promote extended healthspans.
- MicroRNA plays a partial role in regulating bat longevity, offering potential therapeutic targets.
- This study elucidates key pathways contributing to healthy mammalian aging.
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