Researchers discovered that the naked mole-rat a small wrinkly rodent who lives its life underground can have a lifespan up to 40-years. They found that these mole-rats had 4 amino acid changes in their version of the cGAS enzyme which is a DNA sensor in the innate immune system. This may be central to its longevity.
In most mammals including humans, cGAS can interfere with a key DNA repair pathway, homologous recombination. But in Naked mole-rats, the mutated cGAS is more stable after DNA damage which helps it live longer and repair proteins like FANCI and RAD50. This improved DNA helps maintain the genomes integrity, reducing damage that would otherwise accumulate with age. Experimental evidence was done when researchers removed cGAS from naked mole-rat cells. The DNA damage sharply increased showing how important it is to their genome stability.
The implications for this study suggest that small molecular tweaks, such as altering a few amino acids in a DNA repair related enzyme can have major effects on lifespan. Understanding how naked mole-rats stabilize cGAS could create new therapies to combat age-related diseases such as cancer or neurodegeneration.
Bennett, N., & Bennett, N. (2025, October 21). Odd-Looking Animal Defies Aging, Offering New Insights into Longevity and Human Health Benefits. Sustainability Times. https://www.sustainability-times.com/research/odd-looking-animal-defies-aging-offering-new-insights-into-longevity-and-human-health-benefits/#google_vignette
How this odd-looking animal outsmarted aging. (2025, October 25). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251019120523.htm
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