Insights into longevity and virus-driven adaptation from Myotis bat genomes.

Myotis bats exhibit unique genomic adaptations linked to exceptional longevity, viral tolerance, and cancer resistance, with over 20% of DNA-virus-interacting proteins under positive selection.

• Why it matters: Understanding these adaptations addresses critical gaps in knowledge about mammalian longevity and immune defense, offering insights into disease resistance and aging mechanisms.
• What they did: Researchers generated genome assemblies and cell lines for eight Myotis species, conducting genome-wide screens, structural variation analyses, and functional experiments to identify adaptive patterns.
• The result: Findings reveal distinct viral adaptation modes, positive selection in cancer pathways, and immune gene duplications, suggesting pleiotropic links between longevity, immunity, and viral interactions in bats.