Some species of flatworms are capable of unlimited regeneration of their tissues to the point of being potentially immortal. A group of researchers from the University of Nottingham (United Kingdom) has studied the mechanisms by which these animals defy the passage of time.
One of the causes of aging in our cells is found in a structure called the telomere, which is responsible for protecting the genetic material housed in the chromosomes. Every time a cell divides, for example to regenerate the skin or in case of injuries, the telomere becomes shorter until the cells lose their ability to multiply and aging begins. According to this, if the worms manage to avoid the shortening of their telomeres, they could become immortal.
The experiments were carried out with a type of worm ( Schmidtea mediterranea ) that can present two forms: one sexual, and the other asexual that reproduces by simply dividing into two halves. Apparently, both types can indefinitely regenerate their tissues, skin, and even the brain. The researchers measured the activity of telomerase, an enzyme responsible for maintaining the length of telomeres when the cell multiplies, and obtained surprising results. In asexual forms, enzyme activity is greatly increased during regeneration processes, allowing cells to divide and maintain their protective structure. However, this does not happen in the sexual forms, which means that, according to the authors published in the journal PNAS , either at some point their telomeres shorten, or that these worms are able to maintain them by other mechanisms that do not involve to the telomerase enzyme.
“This research makes a major contribution to our understanding of aging-related processes and may be the basis for improving health and increasing longevity of other organisms, including humans,” said Douglas Kell, CEO of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), who has funded part of the research.
