Regulatory genetic sequences in cetaceans may help combat cancer.

Scientists from Brazil's University of Campinas Institute of Biology recently looked into a specific genetic sequence found within whales that confirmed evolutionary relationships amongst different species.  Whales fall into two general groups, which are baleen whales (mysticeti) and toothed whales (odonceti).  Baleen whales tend to be massive like the blue whale while toothed whales tend be on the smaller side like dolphins.  The researchers found that the promoter region of the gene NCAPG plays an important role in coding for proteins that allow cetaceans to grow to massive sizes.  The proteins are more active in larger whales while less active in smaller whales.  It confirmed why a species such as the sperm whale, which has teeth, is closely related to similarly giant baleen whales that lack teeth.

The researchers also speculated that this gene could have a role in stopping the proliferation of cancer cells.  Cetaceans, although being animals with many cells, surprisingly don't get cancer as frequently as humans do.  Humans happen to have these genes that the whales have.  So, if it can be determined that these genes have a role in regulating tumor formation in whales, this knowledge can be applied to cancer treatment in humans.

This article is interesting in how what the researchers basically confirmed evolutionary relationships amongst whales.  Again using the example of the sperm whale, tooth whales usually don't get to the size of the sperm whale.  However the information found about the NCAPG gene confirms sperm whales are closely related to baleen whales despite falling into a different category.  The article seems to be a little click-baity in regards to the gene being applied to cancer treatment.  This is because the researchers hadn't found anything about how the gene prevents tumors, they were just speculating about it.  But, it would be exciting if it were discovered that the gene does in fact prevent cancer.

 Article Link: https://www.sciencealert.com/the-genetic-secret-of-giant-ocean-creatures-is-finally-revealed

Additional info on Promoters in Genes: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Promoter

With Environmental DNA, Small Water Samples Can Find Really Big Animals

In an article posted by SciTechDaily, a team of scientists from California State University (CUNY), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Columbia University used an emerging genetic tool to detect whales and dolphins in the New York Bight. This technique searched for environmental DNA (eDNA), or trace amounts of genetic material left behind by wildlife in the water. The results of this study were published in the journal Frontiers.

The scientists said that eDNA can be used to support other efforts to locate whales and dolphins, such as visual observations and acoustic monitoring. According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Elizabeth Alter, “Determining how cetaceans and other threatened marine animals use coastal habitats is critical to their effective conservation. By generating eDNA data in parallel with survey data, it will be possible to gain a clearer understanding of how this tool can be used in management…”

This technique also detected baitfish present in the area preyed on by whales and dolphins in addition to finding the mammals themselves. The authors claim that in the future, as technology improves, this technique could eventually be used to identify individual animals. Because eDNA drops to lower levels over time, the authors also state that additional research is needed to better understand how behavior and oceanic conditions contribute to the longevity of eDNA signals.

Though there are some signs of promising recovery for many whale populations, whales continue to face a range of modern-day threats such as ship strikes, ocean noise, entanglement with nets, and a general loss of habitat. For example, there are currently plans to scale up massive renewable energy projects to meet energy demands in the United States, including a wind energy auction for more than 488,000 acres in the New York Bight. The use of emerging techniques such as eDNA can provide a new perspective on the current status of whale populations and their prey in and around lease areas as offshore wind operations scale up along the east coast. The WCS has also extended these eDNA techniques to detect critically endangered wildlife such as Swinhoe’s softshell turtle, in the Bolivian Amazon, and in some of the most rugged areas on the planet including Mt. Everest.

Related article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2018/05/18/the-power-of-environmental-dna-for-monitoring-whales/?sh=64ccf93f264c

Same Gene Linked to Bigger Brains of Dolphins and Primates

Dolphins and other cetaceans are considered some of the smartest animals, rivaling our closest primate relatives. It is also well known that brain size says a lot about intelligence. One scientist,  Shixia Xu from Nanjing Normal University, has discovered that changes in a specific gene may have led to the evolution of increased brain size in both cetaceans and primates. The gene, called ASPM, has even been associated with the evolution of larger human brains.



Other than ASPM, there are six genes in primates that are associated with brain size. Initially one of them, MCPH1, was analyzed to see if it was associated with brain size in cetaceans. The results were negative. Shixia Xu then decided to test ASPM and the results were promising. Xu found two instances where ASPM mutated and was passed on into the population. Scientists have yet to determine exactly what led to these favorable changes.

It will be interesting to see what else is discovered as scientists continue to research this topic. They may determine what environmental or social factors led to the mutation of ASPM. It would also be nice to know the different paths that ASPM took within cetaceans and primates.