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Naked Mole Rats' DNA Repair Variant Boosts Longevity

10/10/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Naked mole rats live up to 40 years; Tongji University links this to a cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) variant that enhances DNA repair.
The variant helps maintain genetic integrity, reducing cancer risk and age-related diseases.
Altering amino acids in cGAS changes its function across naked mole rats and humans.
Engineered fruit flies with this variant lived 10 days longer.

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Story summary

Naked mole rats live up to 40 years; Tongji University links this to a cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) variant that enhances DNA repair.
The variant helps maintain genetic integrity, reducing cancer risk and age-related diseases.
Altering amino acids in cGAS changes its function across naked mole rats and humans.
Engineered fruit flies with this variant lived 10 days longer.