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Insights into the Evolution of Longevity from the Bowhead Whale Genome

Michael P. Keane, Jeremy R. Semeiks, Andrew E. Webb, Yang Li, Vı́ctor Quesada, Thomas Craig, Lone Bruhn Madsen, Sipko van Dam, David Brawand, Patrícia Marques, Pawel Michalak, Lin Kang, Jong Bhak, Hyung‐Soon Yim, Nick V. Grishin

Cell Reports · 2015 · ▲ 384 citations

Genomic instability

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Abstract

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.

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Provenance

Source: OpenAlex
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.12.008
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Fetched: 2026-10-13 MST

Cite this

APA

Keane, M.P., Semeiks, J.R., Webb, A.E., Li, Y., Quesada, V., Craig, T., Madsen, L.B., Dam, S.V., Brawand, D., Marques, P., Michalak, P., Kang, L., Bhak, J., Yim, H., Grishin, N.V., Nielsen, N.H., Heide‐Jørgensen, M.P., Oziolor, E.M., Matson, C.W., & Church, G.M. (2015). Insights into the Evolution of Longevity from the Bowhead Whale Genome. <em>Cell Reports</em>. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2014.12.008

Vancouver

Keane MP, Semeiks JR, Webb AE, Li Y, Quesada V, Craig T, et al. Insights into the Evolution of Longevity from the Bowhead Whale Genome. Cell Reports. 2015. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2014.12.008.

BibTeX

@article{michael2015Insigh, title = {Insights into the Evolution of Longevity from the Bowhead Whale Genome}, author = {Michael P. Keane and Jeremy R. Semeiks and Andrew E. Webb and Yang Li and Vı́ctor Quesada and Thomas Craig and Lone Bruhn Madsen and Sipko van Dam and David Brawand and Patrícia Marques and Pawel Michalak and Lin Kang and Jong Bhak and Hyung‐Soon Yim and Nick V. Grishin and Nynne H. Nielsen and Mads Peter Heide‐Jørgensen and Elias M. Oziolor and Cole W. Matson and George McDonald Church and Gary W. Stuart and John C. Patton and John C. George and ROBERT S. SUYDAM and Knud Larsen}, journal = {Cell Reports}, year = {2015}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2014.12.008}, }