Bats are unique mammals that have a variety of physiological and behavioural adaptations to nature. One of the key adaptations that enable these abilities is the composition of their proteins. Well, now, research on bat proteins reveals new insights. They may hold the secret to slowing the human ageing process and combating inflammatory diseases.
New Research On Bat Protein
Published in the journal Cell, the research focussed on multiprotein complexes called inflammasomes. They are in charge of the excessive inflammation that results in severe symptoms in many disorders.
In comparison to other tiny animals, bats have remarkably long lifespans (some can live for up to 40 years), and they are immune to the harmful effects of viruses like Sars, Ebola, and Zika. Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore have now discovered a modified form of the protein “bat ASC2” that appears to be responsible for the extraordinary durability of bats by suppressing the inflammatory response.
The bat ASC2 was found to be just marginally different from our own when tested on human cells. Those cells also became more robust, suggesting their therapeutic potential. The research provides new insights and strategies to combat ageing and inflammatory diseases in humans.
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Can They Hold The Secret To The Longevity Of Human Lives?
When tested on mice, the bat protein performed well. The scientists reported that the expression of the bat protein in genetically altered mice lowered the severity of the disorders brought on by numerous triggers, including viruses, by dampening inflammation.
An in-depth analysis of the ASC2 protein revealed four amino acids that are essential for the molecule’s ability to suppress inflammation more effectively in the bat protein than the similar human protein. This offers crucial knowledge for the creation of medicines that can imitate the anti-inflammatory properties of the bat protein. The scientists’ next step will be to look at how their discoveries may be used to treat people.
For the SARS-CoV-2 virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, bats have garnered a lot of interest. But this extraordinary capacity for both hosting and surviving viral infections may also have highly favourable effects on human health.
The findings of this study are intriguing enough. However, more work is needed to translate these findings into new therapies to use in people to reduce mortality from viruses or increase longevity.
Let us know what you think of this new research
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