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Evolution of high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid is associated with subterranean lifestyle.

Authors :
Zhao, Yang
Zheng, Zhizhong
Zhang, Zhihui
Xu, Yandong
Hillpot, Eric
Lin, Yifei S.
Zakusilo, Frances T.
Lu, J. Yuyang
Ablaeva, Julia
Biashad, Seyed Ali
Miller, Richard A.
Nevo, Eviatar
Seluanov, Andrei
Gorbunova, Vera
Source :
Nature Communications; 6/26/2023, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p1-18, 18p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid is a major component of extracellular matrix which plays an important role in development, cellular response to injury and inflammation, cell migration, and cancer. The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) contains abundant high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid in its tissues, which contributes to this species’ cancer resistance and possibly to its longevity. Here we report that abundant high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid is found in a wide range of subterranean mammalian species, but not in phylogenetically related aboveground species. These subterranean mammalian species accumulate abundant high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid by regulating the expression of genes involved in hyaluronic acid degradation and synthesis and contain unique mutations in these genes. The abundant high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid may benefit the adaptation to subterranean environment by increasing skin elasticity and protecting from oxidative stress due to hypoxic conditions. Our work suggests that high-molecular-mass hyaluronic acid has evolved with subterranean lifestyle.Hyaluronic acid is believed to plays a critical role in cancer resistance and longevity of the naked mole rat. Here, Zhao and colleagues show that accumulation of high levels of hyaluronic acid has co-evolved repeatedly in mammalian clades with adaptation to subterranean habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20411723
Volume :
14
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Nature Communications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
174023052
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43623-2