When it comes to cancer risk, longevity doesn’t always determine the outcome. Peto’s paradox, discovered by Richard Peto in 1975, challenges the assumption that long-lived species like elephants would have a higher risk of cancer compared to short-lived species like mice. Recent research from Wageningen University & Research proposes a hypothesis to explain this paradox in fungi. The study suggests that certain fungi utilize a unique form of cell division to prevent the selection of selfish mutations, thus lowering their risk of cancer. These findings were published in the journal Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews.
Unlike animals, which develop cancer when mutant cells interfere with their fitness, fungus can develop a type of “nucleus cancer” within its underground network of filaments called mycelia. These mutations provide a competitive advantage to the nucleus within the mycelium while compromising the overall fitness of the organism. To combat this, long-lived fungi, such as fairy ring-forming species, employ anti-cancer mechanisms to reduce the risk of nucleus cancers.
The researchers from Wageningen University & Research, including Duur Aanen, Anouk van ‘t Padje, and Ben Auxier, point to a specific mechanism called the clamp connection. This structure, unique to mushroom-forming fungi, plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of nucleus cancers. During cell division, a dikaryon mycelium, consisting of two genetically distinct haploid nuclei, forms a clamp connection. This connection acts as a screening device to assess the quality of the nuclei, ensuring they are capable of fusion. Mutations in fusion genes prevent successful fusion, resulting in a low risk of nucleus cancers within the mycelia regardless of size and lifespan.
The findings from this research shed light on the resilience of fungi and their ability to live for hundreds of years without succumbing to cancer. Understanding these mechanisms not only provides insights into the biology of fungi but also highlights potential implications for cancer research in animals.
More information:
Journal: Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews
Researcher(s): Duur K. Aanen et al
DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00022-21
Citation: Researchers explain how mushrooms can live for hundreds of years without getting cancer (2023, July 10) retrieved 11 July 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2023-07-mushrooms-hundreds-years-cancer.html
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