Image copyright AFP Elephants was discovered defense mechanism against cancer, researchers report.
Researchers trying to understand why the elephants cases of cancer is much lower than expected from such a large mammal.
Scientists from the University of Utah said that “nature has already found a way to prevent cancer,” and added that they hope to develop new therapy based on his discovery.
According to one theory, each cell in the body has the potential to become cancerous, and, accordingly, the more the body cells, the higher the chance of cancer.
Since the elephant is 100 times more cells than human, according to this theory, this mammal with a large trunk has to be 100 times more likely to develop cancer.
However, according to a study published in the journal Journal of the American Medical Association, only 5% of the elephants cancer causes death. In humans, this figure reaches 25%.
DNA
Researchers at the University of Utah decided to study the DNA of an elephant, hoping to find the answer to this riddle.
Cancer results from mutations in the DNA of a single cell, resulting in cell begins to grow out.
However, animals have also detectors like cell mutations that allow the body to either kill such cells or correct their mechanism.
One of these detectors is called TP53. This gene inhibits cell division, DNA which any dangerous errors, as long as they are not corrected, or the cell can not be killed by the organism.
In humans, only one gene TP53, whereas in Elephant found 20 copies of TP53.
As a result, the body of elephants is much more effective getting rid of out-of-control cells.
“According to all logic, elephants must be incredibly high incidence of cancer. In fact, they would disappear as a species so high their risk of cancer, “- said Dr. Joshua Schiffman, a specialist in pediatric oncology, who participated in the study.
According to him, for example, elephants can be seen that nature has already learned to fight cancer, and in the future it will help to develop new therapies for people. For example, you could make human cells more “elephant-like”, adding their DNA extra copies of the gene TP53.
Reproductive senescence
However, Professor Mel Greaves of London’s Institute of Cancer Research said that actually need to understand why people have such a high percentage of cancer.
“In regard to the adaptive systems, we are not different from chimpanzees, but cancer we get sick more more frequently than chimps, “- he said in an interview with BBC BBC.
” I think people – a unique view, as they have an extremely rapid process of social evolution “.
Among other things, he pointed to a sharp increase in the number of people leading an unhealthy lifestyle, which increases the chances of cancer. We are talking about obesity, sunbathing in the sun and smoking, for example.
“You have not seen any smoking elephant!” – He added.
Menopause can also be one of the reasons why people have not developed a more effective mechanism to protect against cancer.
From the point of of evolution, “success” of the individual is determined by the number of children, and not the duration of the life of this individual.
Elephants have the greatest reproductive success observed at the end of life, while people may live for decades after menopause.
This means that from an evolutionary point of view, there is no sense to develop a protection against cancer in the elderly.
“People were able to extend their social life far beyond the reproductive senility. It could not be any other kind, “- says Professor Greaves.
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