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