Scientists have identified a cold-activated protein in the bowhead whale that may explain its extraordinary lifespan and could one day help humans live longer by improving DNA repair mechanisms, according to media reports.

The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) which can weigh up to 80,000 kilograms (176,370 pounds) and live over 200 years, is one of the longest-lived mammals on Earth.

New research published in Nature on Wednesday revealed that this longevity may be linked to a protein called CIRPB that helps repair broken DNA, particularly in cold environments.

“The most exciting take-home message here is that there is room for improvement,” said Vera Gorbunova, a biologist at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study. “We can make our DNA repair better.”

The CIRPB protein, found in whale tissue samples collected by Inupiaq Inuit hunters in northern Alaska, was injected into human and fruit fly cells in laboratory experiments.

In both cases, DNA repair improved, and the fruit flies showed increased resistance to radiation and lived longer.

Although whale cells became cancerous with fewer mutations than human cells, the researchers found that mutations were less likely to occur in the first place, thanks to enhanced DNA repair.

“Everybody knows the bowhead whale is extremely long-lived, but nobody knew why,” said Zhiyong Mao, a molecular biologist at Tongji University in Shanghai, who was not involved in the research. “This tells us that tackling DNA repair to improve genome stability is a very effective strategy to confer this extreme longevity.”

The study builds on previous research into other long-lived species, such as naked mole rats and elephants, which also demonstrate advanced DNA maintenance.

Further investigation is needed to determine whether CIRPB could be used to enhance human longevity or prevent cancer. (Anadolu Agency)