Why are whales without cancer?

Age and weight are two factors that promote cancer. Not only in humans, but in any animal. Thus, whales, which are among the largest animals and longevity, seem the perfect candidates to suffer from this disease. And yet, it is not like that.

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "To try to understand why, an international team of researchers has studied the genome of different cetaceans – the biological group to which whales, dolphins and porpoises belong – to try to find a key to explain it. "data-reactid =" 23 "> In an attempt to understand why, an international team of researchers has studied the genome of different cetaceans – the biological group to which whales, dolphins and porpoises belong – in an attempt to find a key that allows to explain it.

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We will try to put the article in context. Cancer is the result of mutations in somatic cells – those that make up the body, that is to say all but the eggs and sperm. Every day, some of our cells mutate and they begin to grow more than they should.

But our body has mechanisms to control it. When a cell undergoes a mutation, the body recognizes it as potentially dangerous and terminates it. It's a system that works very well, but it's not perfect. Some escape and form a tumor.

Over the years, a tumor is more likely to appear. Somatic cells accumulate errors at each division, becoming more likely to tumult. And defense systems are also affected by age.

So, if a cancer occurs because of a mutation in a somatic cell, the more likely it will be. And large animals have, by definition, more cells. So, a tumor will be more likely, and even more so with age.

And yet, whales – and other large animals, like elephants – are less prone to cancer than humans, for example. Which contradicts what we thought we knew or understood. The secret apparently lies in the genes of these animals.

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<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "When we compare the genome of a yubarta (Megaptera novaeangliae) with that of humans, it can be proved that three types of genes have evolved faster to limit these problems. These are genes involved in cell cycle control, DNA repair and cell proliferation."data-reactid =" 31 "> When comparing the genome of a yubarta (Megaptera novaeangliae) with that of humans, it can be proved that three types of genes have evolved faster to limit these problems. These are genes involved in cell cycle control, DNA repair and cell proliferation.

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "That is, cetaceans control much more rigorously when and how their cells are divided, and are much more aware of possible mistakes in the DNA to solve potential problems before and when They do not represent a danger."data-reactid =" 32 ">That is, cetaceans control much more rigorously when and how their cells are divided, and are far more aware of possible mistakes in the DNA to solve potential problems before they 're able to. they do not represent a danger.

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "But can we get a direct benefit from these control genes? Something that goes beyond knowledge, which is always important? The researchers propose the possibility of studying in more detail the proteins dependent on the detected genes, in an attempt to use them as medicaments. Although for that, there is a lot of research to do."data-reactid =" 33 ">But can we get a direct benefit from these control genes? Something that goes beyond knowledge, which is always important? The researchers propose the possibility of studying in more detail the proteins dependent on the detected genes, in an attempt to use them as medicaments. Although for that, there is a lot of research to do.