Rochester -- U.S. scientists say they've discovered how the naked mole rat -- the only known animal that never develops cancer -- defends itself against tumor development.
The rodent, also known as a sand puppy, has a 30-year lifespan that allows ample time for cells to grow cancerous. But scientists say the animal has never been found with tumors of any kind -- and now University of Rochester biologists think they know why.
In a study led by Associate Professor Vera Gorbunova, researchers found the mole rat's cells express a gene called p16 that stops the proliferation of the rodent's cells when too many of them crowd together, thereby stopping runaway growth before it can start.
