Insights into longevity and virus-driven adaptation from Myotis bat genomes
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: . Here, to study the evolution of these phenotypes, we generated cell lines and near-complete genome assemblies for eight closely related Myotis species. Using genome-wide screens of positive selection, analyses of structural variation and functional experiments in primary cells, we identify patterns of adaptation contributing to longevity, cancer resistance and viral interactions. We demonstrate distinct modes of adaptation to DNA and RNA viruses compared with all other mammals, with bats exhibiting genome-wide over-representation of positive selection for DNA-virus-interacting proteins and elevated rates of copy-number variation for RNA-virus-interacting proteins. Characterization of Myotis-specific duplications of the key immune factor EIF2AK2 (also known as PKR) reveals multiple ancient segregating trans-species copy-number polymorphisms. We show that the recurrent evolution of longevity seen in Myotis is associated with positive selection in cancer pathways, and demonstrate a unique response to DNA damage in primary cells of the long-lived Myotis lucifugus. Together, our results suggest that bats' remarkable longevity and immunity are linked through pleiotropic adaptations to viruses and ageing-related disease.
Source: Nature
Authors: Juan M. Vazquez, M. Elise Lauterbur, Saba Mottaghinia, Léa Gaucherand, Sarah Maesen, Michael Singer, Sarah Villa, Melanie Bucci, Devaughn Fraser, Genavieve Gray-Sandoval, Zeinab R. Haidar, Melissa Han, William Kohler, Tanya M. Lama, Amandine Le Corf, Clara Loyer, Dakota McMillan, Stacy Li, Johnathan Lo, Carine Rey, Samantha L. R. Capel, Kathleen Slocum, Melissa Sui, William Thomas, Janet Debelak Tyburec, Rachel Brem, Richard Miller, Michael Buchalski, Jose Pablo Vazquez-Medina, Sébastien Pfeffer, Lucie Etienne, David Enard, Peter H. Sudmant
Institutions: Pennsylvania State University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Vermont, University of Arizona, Lyon 1 Université, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Inserm, Université de Lyon, Max Delbrück Center, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Architecture et Réactivité de l'arN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Cal Poly Humboldt, University of Michigan, Smith College, Berkeley City College, Bat Conservation International, Stony Brook University
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $12,690
OpenAlex ID: W7204243208