Rochelle Buffenstein of the University of Texas, Helath Science center in San Antonio and collegues discovered that naked mole rats had twice as many undamaged proteins as in mice. Naked mole rats live for 30 years longer than any other rodents.Scientis believe that these rodents may hold the key to secret of longevity..
Since oxidising compounds produced in the bodies gradually wear down DNA and proteins,it causes ageing by destroying the cells. It was discovered that naked mole rats had twice as many undamaged proteins in mice. Researchers found that naked mole rats produced extra quantities of molecules that are responsible for labelling damaged proteins that need to be recycled to minimise their effect in cells.Scientists are hoping to identify these molecules and apply whether they could be used to treat age related ailments in human beings.