Insights into the Evolution of Longevity from the Bowhead Whale Genome

• Published in: Cell reports (Cambridge) Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 112 - 122
• Main Authors: Keane, Michael, Semeiks, Jeremy, Webb, Andrew E., Li, Yang I., Quesada, Víctor, Craig, Thomas, Madsen, Lone Bruhn, van Dam, Sipko, Brawand, David, Marques, Patrícia I., Michalak, Pawel, Kang, Lin, Bhak, Jong, Yim, Hyung-Soon, Grishin, Nick V., Nielsen, Nynne Hjort, Heide-Jørgensen, Mads Peter, Oziolor, Elias M., Matson, Cole W., Church, George M., Stuart, Gary W., Patton, John C., George, J. Craig, Suydam, Robert, Larsen, Knud, López-Otín, Carlos, O’Connell, Mary J., Bickham, John W., Thomsen, Bo, de Magalhães, João Pedro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 06.01.2015; Cell Press; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Bowhead Whale - genetics; Evolution, Molecular; Genome; Humans; Longevity - genetics; Resource; Selection, Genetic; Sequence Analysis, DNA
• ISSN: 2211-1247; 2211-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.12.008

The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is estimated to live over 200 years and is possibly the longest-living mammal. These animals should possess protective molecular adaptations relevant to age-related diseases, particularly cancer. Here, we report the sequencing and comparative analysis of the bowhead whale genome and two transcriptomes from different populations. Our analysis identifies genes under positive selection and bowhead-specific mutations in genes linked to cancer and aging. In addition, we identify gene gain and loss involving genes associated with DNA repair, cell-cycle regulation, cancer, and aging. Our results expand our understanding of the evolution of mammalian longevity and suggest possible players involved in adaptive genetic changes conferring cancer resistance. We also found potentially relevant changes in genes related to additional processes, including thermoregulation, sensory perception, dietary adaptations, and immune response. Our data are made available online (http://www.bowhead-whale.org) to facilitate research in this long-lived species. [Display omitted] •Genome and two transcriptomes of the bowhead whale, the longest-lived mammal•Bowhead-specific mutations in genes associated with cancer and aging (e.g., ERCC1)•Duplications in genes associated with DNA repair, cell cycle, and aging (e.g., PCNA)•Changes in genes related to thermoregulation (UCP1) and other bowhead traits The bowhead whale is the longest-lived mammal, possibly living over 200 years. Keane et al. sequence the bowhead genome and transcriptome and perform a comparative analysis with other cetaceans and mammals. Changes in bowhead genes related to cell cycle, DNA repair, cancer, and aging suggest alterations that may be biologically relevant.