Researchers at the University of Oviedo in Spain say the immortal jellyfish has twice as many copies of genes involved in healing and defense as its related but mortal cousin, the crimson jellyfish known as Turritopsis rubra. These findings have already been published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Detail

Turritopsis dohrnii is the only species that can rejuvenate many times after sexual reproduction and become biologically immortal. The scientists identified genes involved in replication, DNA repair, telomere maintenance, redox environment, stem cell population and intercellular communication.

DNA repair and telomeres are particularly important to this animal. In difficult times or when the jellyfish is starving, it sucks its own tentacles and sinks to the seafloor, where it becomes a baby polyp again and secretes more “jelly” that eventually develops into a jellyfish. At the same time, telomeres act as tiny DNA helmets that protect the ends of chromosomal strands during their reproduction. Normally, telomeres shorten as they wear out in this process, but this is not the case for Turritopsis dohrnii..

there are doubts

However, scientists warn against hasty conclusions. How Turritopsis dohrnii organizes its cells so easily is still unclear. Also, science cannot yet answer “on a semantic and philosophical level” whether the jellyfish obtained are the same individual. In fact, it may turn out that the body of the old jellyfish did not go backwards in development, but became a kind of “seed” for a new individual with a completely new organism.

Whatever the case, the study of these amazing creatures could help find ways to replace brain cells and discover new treatments for aging-related diseases that humans can’t yet cure – Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s diseases. Also, the team, of course, hopes to find out how it can help people live longer.