Bats, distinguished as the only mammals capable of flight, possess a remarkably strong immune system that not only defends them against viruses that are detrimental to humans but also significantly minimizes their susceptibility to cancer. Researchers from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified that the key to this formidable immunity is embedded in the bats’ genetic makeup. Through comprehensive genomic sequencing, the scientists revealed that bats have experienced accelerated evolution, equipping them better than other mammals to fend off infections and cancer.
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory team has ascertained that the specialized genes in bats confer upon them an unparalleled immune system that offers protection against dangerous viruses and lowers their predisposition to cancer. These discoveries could be instrumental in furthering our understanding of human immune systems and may guide the development of new treatments.
Bats exhibit extraordinary characteristics accrued over their evolutionary timeline. They are unique in their ability to fly and have a lifespan that surpasses other animals of comparable size. However, it is their resilient immune system that is most noteworthy. This system provides a shield against viruses like COVID-19 and Ebola that are highly destructive to human health, while also contributing to their notably low cancer rates. What is the reason for this? Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory claim that the answer resides in their genetic material.
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Genomic Analysis Elucidates Bat Immune Capabilities
In collaboration with Nancy Simmons from the American Museum of Natural History, Cold Spring Harbor Professors W. Richard McCombie and Adam Siepel, along with postdoctoral researcher Armin Scheben, sequenced the genomes of two bat species: the Jamaican fruit bat and the Mesoamerican mustached bat. Upon contrasting these genetic sequences with those of other mammals, the research team concluded that accelerated evolutionary processes have optimized the bats’ genomes for effective defense against infection and cancer. As McCombie articulates, “The unique aspects of bat genomes revealed a previously unrecognized positive selection in immune system genes. Bats respond differently to infections, which retrospectively explains the variances in aging and cancer responses between them and other mammals.”
In-Depth Examination of Bat Genetic Material
These two particular bat species are members of the most ecologically diverse mammalian superfamily on Earth. Utilizing state-of-the-art Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology, McCombie, Siepel, and Scheben generated complete genome sequences for both species. These were then compared to the genomes of 15 other mammalian species, including humans. The comparison disclosed an unanticipated modulation in the expression of two pro-inflammatory protein-coding genes, namely interferon-alpha and interferon-omega.
Armin Scheben expounds, “Bats have attenuated the immune system’s alert mechanisms by losing genes responsible for the production of interferon-alpha. This can explain their remarkable tolerance to viruses and avoids the destructive overactivation of the immune system that causes damage to healthy tissues in humans.”
Furthermore, the bat genomes displayed a higher frequency of mutations in genes linked to cancer, including six involved in DNA repair and 46 that inhibit tumor formation.
“The intertwining of immunity and cancer resistance is evident in our findings,” notes Scheben. “Common immune genes and proteins are crucial in both contexts.”
Prospects for Future Studies and Applications
The research team, consisting of McCombie, Siepel, and Scheben, is currently investigating the regulatory mechanisms of bats’ immune genes and their expression in various tissues. Their research aims to shed light on the connections between immunity, the aging process, and cancer resistance, and may eventually contribute to the development of more effective therapeutic interventions.
Adam Siepel adds, “There are still many unanswered questions. Our ultimate goal is to progress our work to a point where it can be handed over to medical experts specializing in disease management for the development of drugs or other forms of therapy.”
Citation: “Long-Read Sequencing Reveals Rapid Evolution of Immunity- and Cancer-Related Genes in Bats” by Armin Scheben, Olivia Mendivil Ramos, Melissa Kramer, Sara Goodwin, Sara Oppenheim, Daniel J Becker, Michael C Schatz, Nancy B Simmons, Adam Siepel and W Richard McCombie, published on 20 September 2023 in Genome Biology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad148
Funding Sources: National Institutes of Health, Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory/Northwell Health Affiliation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bat Immune Mechanisms
What is the primary focus of the research conducted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory?
The primary focus of the research is to understand the robust immune system of bats, which protects them from viruses harmful to humans and also minimizes their susceptibility to cancer. The researchers aim to identify the genetic factors that contribute to this resilience.
How were the bats’ genomes sequenced and analyzed?
The genomes of the Jamaican fruit bat and the Mesoamerican mustached bat were sequenced using Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology. The genomic data were then compared to the genomes of 15 other mammals, including humans, to identify unique patterns and mutations.
What significant discoveries were made about bats’ immune systems?
Researchers found that bats have undergone rapid evolutionary changes, which have optimized their genomes for effective defense against infections and cancer. They also discovered that bats have attenuated their immune system’s alert mechanisms by losing genes that produce interferon-alpha, which explains their remarkable tolerance to viruses.
Are there implications for human health based on these findings?
Yes, the research could offer valuable insights into human immune systems and potentially guide the development of new treatments for viral infections and cancer. The findings highlight the deep interconnection between immunity and cancer resistance, suggesting that common immune genes and proteins play crucial roles in both contexts.
What technologies were used in this research?
State-of-the-art Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology was employed to generate complete genome sequences for both bat species studied. This enabled a comprehensive comparison with other mammalian genomes.
What are the future directions of this research?
The researchers are now investigating how bats’ immune genes are regulated and how they might be expressed in different parts of the body. Their work aims to shed light on the links between immunity, aging, and cancer and may eventually contribute to more effective therapeutic interventions.
Who funded this research?
The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, and through an affiliation between Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Northwell Health.
What was the publication where the research findings were reported?
The research findings were published in the journal “Genome Biology and Evolution” on September 20, 2023, under the title “Long-Read Sequencing Reveals Rapid Evolution of Immunity- and Cancer-Related Genes in Bats.”
What kinds of genes in bats were particularly affected by rapid evolution?
The genes that were positively selected in bat genomes were mainly related to the immune system. There was also a higher frequency of mutations in genes linked to cancer, including those involved in DNA repair and tumor suppression.
How might these findings impact the field of medicine?
The findings hold the potential to advance our understanding of immune systems and could lead to the development of new antiviral and anticancer therapies. The research may also offer new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying immunity, aging, and cancer resistance, which could be applied to human medicine.
More about Bat Immune Mechanisms
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies
- National Institutes of Health
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology
- Genome Biology and Evolution Journal
- American Museum of Natural History
- Interferon-alpha and Interferon-omega
- DNA Repair Mechanisms
- Tumor Suppression Genes
- Northwell Health Affiliation
8 comments
Wow, this is super interesting. Never knew bats had such a robust immune system. Could this be a game changer in medicine?
Amazing to see how rapid evolution affects an animal’s genome. Would love to see how this research evolves and impacts human medicine in the future.
Research like this needs more funding. If the National Institutes of Health is on board, other organizations should be too. This could be revolutionary.
Oxford Nanopore tech, huh? That’s some cutting edge stuff they’re using to sequence genomes. What’s next, CRISPR for humans based on bat genes?
I wonder if these findings will lead to new treatments for cancer or even viral infections like COVID. The possibilities seem endless!
So if i get this right, bats have sorta evolved their own way of dealing with viruses? Thats cool and kinda makes you think what we could learn from them.
Bats are so underrated. Not only do they help with pest control but now this? They’re like the superheroes of the animal kingdom.
it’s incredible to think that nature has its own ways of dealing with viruses and cancer. If bats can do it, why cant we? really makes you think.