Subterranean mammals spend their lives in dark, unventilated environments that are rich in carbon dioxide and ammonia and low in oxygen. Many of these animals are also long-lived and exhibit reduced aging-associated diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. We sequenced the genome of the Damaraland mole rat (DMR, Fukomys damarensis) and improved the genome assembly of the naked mole rat (NMR, Heterocephalus glaber). Comparative genome analyses, along with the transcriptomes of related subterranean rodents, revealed candidate molecular adaptations for subterranean life and longevity, including a divergent insulin peptide, expression of oxygen-carrying globins in the brain, prevention of high CO2-induced pain perception, and enhanced ammonia detoxification. Juxtaposition of the genomes of DMR and other more conventional animals with the genome of NMR revealed several truly exceptional NMR features: unusual thermogenesis, an aberrant melatonin system, pain insensitivity, and unique processing of 28S rRNA. Together, these genomes and transcriptomes extend our understanding of subterranean adaptations, stress resistance, and longevity.

BGI Shenzhen Shenzhen 518083 China

BGI Shenzhen Shenzhen 518083 China; Department of Biology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen 2200 Copenhagen N Denmark

BGI Shenzhen Shenzhen 518083 China; Department of Biology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen 2200 Copenhagen N Denmark; King Abdulaziz University Jeddah 21441 Saudi Arabia

Department of Bioinspired Science Ewha Womans University Seoul 120 750 South Korea

Department of Biological Sciences University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago IL 60607 USA

Department of Biology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen 2200 Copenhagen N Denmark

Department of Physiology and The Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio TX 78245 USA

Division of Genetics Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston MA 02115 USA

Division of Genetics Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston MA 02115 USA; Department of Bioinspired Science Ewha Womans University Seoul 120 750 South Korea

Rodent Histopathology Laboratory Harvard Medical School Boston MA 02115 USA

University of South Bohemia Faculty of Science Ceske Budejovice 37005 Czech Republic

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Evolutionary ecology of aging: time to reconcile field and laboratory research

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GEO
GSE50726

SRA
SRA099445