Illuminating Cancer Resistance in Elephants.
A new study shows that elephants have at least 20 copies of the tumor suppressor gene TP53; their cells also favor apoptosis over DNA repair when subjected to DNA-damaging agents. These findings may help explain elephants' longevity and low cancer risk, and shed further light on natural cancer suppression mechanisms.
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004249:DNA Damage; D060467:Disease Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D004606:Elephants / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*