August M
New research into how the body repairs damaged DNA is opening fresh debate about how long humans could live. A newly studied protein may play a key role in slowing aging and preventing disease.
According to UNILAD, scientists at the University of Rochester have identified a protein called CIRBP that helps repair double-strand breaks in DNA, a major cause of illness and cellular decline.
The findings, published in Nature, suggest that improving how the body maintains its genetic material could extend lifespan beyond current expectations.
Researchers said while CIRBP exists in many species, its levels vary significantly, which may influence how effectively cells resist damage over time.
Whales as model
The study highlighted bowhead whales as a key example, as they show unusually high levels of CIRBP compared to other animals.
These whales, known to live for around 200 years, appear to benefit from enhanced DNA repair, helping them avoid diseases such as cancer.
Professor Vera Gorbunova said: “This research shows it is possible to live longer than the typical human lifespan.”
She added: “By studying the only warm-blooded mammal that outlives humans, our work provides information about the mechanisms that allow such extended lifespans, underscoring the importance of genome maintenance for longevity.”
Path to humans
According to the report, experiments on whale cells showed stronger resistance to cancer, with CIRBP identified as a central factor.
Professor Andrei Seluanov said colder conditions increased the protein’s activity, but noted: “What we don’t yet know is what level of cold exposure would be needed to trigger that response in humans.”
Gorbunova said researchers are now exploring how CIRBP could be increased in people. She said: “Both boosting the body’s existing CIRBP activity or introducing more of the protein may work. Lifestyle changes-things like taking cold showers-might contribute too and might be worth exploring.”
She added: “There are different ways to improve genome maintenance and here we learn there is one unique way that evolved in bowhead whales where they dramatically increase the levels of this protein. Now we have to see if we can develop strategies to upregulate the same pathway in humans.”
Sources: UNILAD, University of Rochester, Nature
