A groundbreaking study published today in Trends in Ecology & Evolution reveals a fascinating link between elevated testicle temperatures and the evolution of powerful anti-cancer genes in elephants.
Conducted by Professor Fritz Vollrath, Chairman of Save the Elephants, the research proposes that the absence of testicular descent in elephants may have contributed to the development of multiple anti-cancer genes, protecting the temperature-sensitive sperm production.
This innovative hypothesis presents an exciting opportunity for cancer researchers, potentially providing valuable insights into how the human body responds to DNA damage.
Despite their large size and higher number of somatic cell divisions, which typically increase the risk of cancer, elephants defy expectations. This phenomenon, known as Peto’s Paradox, was initially observed by renowned Oxford epidemiologist Richard Peto, who discovered that elephants and whales exhibit surprising resistance to cancer development.
Recent scientific advancements have shed light on the significance of elephants in unraveling this intriguing mystery of cancer mitigation. A key factor is the relationship between the TP53 gene, a genetic marker, and its protein product p53. P53 detects and neutralizes damaged DNA during cell divisions, hindering the spread of mutations.
Remarkably, elephants possess 20 copies of the TP53 gene, while all other known animals, including humans, only have a single copy. This raises the question: Why have elephants evolved this seemingly magical defense mechanism against cancer when other species have not?
The research highlights that selection on somatic cells, which make up the body, organs, and tissues, is relatively weak and slow due to the balance between healthy and potentially harmful cells. Additionally, evolutionary processes tend to occur gradually when limited to developments that take place in older age, after most offspring have been produced. In contrast, selection on germ cells, such as sperm and eggs, is considerably stronger and faster, as it directly impacts the survival of each individual cell.
This brings us to the intriguing subject of testicle temperature. In mammals, the production of healthy sperm relies on the testes being several degrees cooler than the body temperature. Therefore, the descent of the testicles into a scrotum is crucial for cooling them as maturity approaches. However, elephants lack the genes responsible for this descent, resulting in their testicles remaining inside their bodies even in mature bulls, subjecting them to elevated temperatures.
Considering elephants’ vulnerability to climatic challenges due to their large size, unfavorable surface ratio, thick skin, and specific heat exchange mechanisms, their body temperatures can reach levels that are detrimental to their metabolism and healthy sperm production.
According to this study, the proliferation of TP53 genes in elephants primarily evolved to support DNA stabilization in the spermatogonia, ensuring the production of robust spermatozoa and safeguarding the germ line. However, this diversification of p53 proteins also offers protection against DNA damage and mutations in somatic cell lines, providing additional collateral advantages linked to cancer and aging, where p53 already plays a prominent role.
Commenting on the research, Professor Vollrath emphasizes, “Elephants provide us with a unique system to study the evolution of a robust defense mechanism against DNA damage and explore the intricate details of the p53 complex in our own battle against cancer and age-related ailments. Novel insights in this field are always important, especially now that overheating is becoming an increasingly significant issue for humans as well.”
More information:
Fritz Vollrath, Uncoupling elephant TP53 and cancer, Trends in Ecology & Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.05.011
Provided by
Save the Elephants
Citation:
Hot testicles may hold the secret to elephants’ anti-cancer genes, suggests new study (2023, June 27)
retrieved 27 June 2023
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