Ageless Creatures: Molecular Insights into Organisms That Defy Aging
David Aphkhazava, Nodar Sulashvili, George Maglakelidze, Jaba Tkemaladze
Abstract
While aging is a nearly universal biological process, certain species exhibit negligible senescence, maintaining reproductive capacity and physiological function over extended lifespans. Notable examples include the Greenland shark (exceeding 400 years), naked mole-rat (over 30 years), ocean quahog (507 years), and Hydra (theoretically immortal). These organisms defy typical aging patterns through enhanced DNA repair, oxidative stress resistance, robust stem cell maintenance, and unique proteostasis and epigenetic regulation. Comparative analysis reveals common adaptations such as: 1) late age of sexual maturation; 2) long-term maintenance of sexual activity; 3) reduced metabolic rate; 4) tolerance to hypoxia; 5) neoplastic suppression. The molecular mechanisms underlying their longevity—including high-molecular-weight hyaluronan in naked mole-rats and specialized lipid membranes in sharks—offer transformative insights for anti-aging interventions. Understanding these strategies could pave the way for novel therapies targeting age-related diseases, potentially redefining human healthspan. This review synthesizes current knowledge on negligibly senescent species, highlighting their evolutionary, physiological, and biomedical significance.