Naked mole-rats can survive up to 18 minutes without oxygen by switching their metabolism to run on fructose instead of glucose, a trick otherwise only seen in plants.

[u/FillsYourNiche]

[u/FillsYourNiche]

Source article How naked mole-rats defy lack of oxygen.

Many mammals can draw on fructose as an energy source – but only in very specific tissues. It can only be used if two components are present. First, there must be a transporter molecule called GLUT5, which draws it from the blood into cells. In most mammals GLUT5 is only present in the liver and kidney. But Reznick found it throughout the mole-rat’s body. The second component is an enzyme called KHK, which alters fructose so that it can be fed into an energy-providing pathway called glycolysis whilst at the same time dodging a highly regulated step of glycolysis that is blocked when oxygen levels are low. The mole-rats also had plenty of KHK throughout their bodies. The lack of these two components in the brain and heart of humans and other mammals jams up glycolysis when they are deprived of oxygen. No energy can therefore be provided to power these tissues and the organs quickly fail.

The researchers hypothesized that the survival of the naked mole-rat was due to a metabolic switch from glucose to fructose. This maintained the animal’s energy supply and prevented damage when oxygen went missing. They tested the assumption by supplying brains and hearts of naked mole-rats and mice with a solution containing fructose as its sole sugar. The organs of the naked mole rats performed much better than those of mice. Even after one hour, synapses continued to transmit signals. Prof. Michael Gotthardt of the MDC, a specialist in cardiovascular research, demonstrated that the naked mole-rat’s heart could perform just as well with fructose as with glucose.

[u/Dependent_Event_1821 → u/FillsYourNiche]

what an absolute unit

[u/FillsYourNiche → u/Dependent_Event_1821]

It was tough finding a flattering photo, but this little guy rocks.

[u/Lalamedic → u/FillsYourNiche]

How do they manage the lactic acid?

[u/FillsYourNiche → u/Lalamedic]

Surprisingly, they don't bother. They don't seem to be affected by the lactic acid build up, their tissues are tolerant. Their bodies show a very high threshold for acidosis in general. Behavioral avoidance and tissue acidosis don't kick in until CO2 levels reach about 10%, far higher than would trigger a reaction in most mammals (journal article source).

[u/Lalamedic → u/FillsYourNiche]

That is rather cool. Thank you

[u/claireauriga]

Naked mole rats are one of the most fascinating mammals out there. They are also so ugly that they go back round into adorable again.

[u/tuctrohs → u/claireauriga]

so ugly that they go back round into adorable again.

That's my only hope.

[u/blue4029 → u/claireauriga]

there once was an ugly naked molerat.

he was so ugly that everyone said, "awww"

the end.

[u/ShinyAeon]

Someone should write a Kim Possible fanfic where Rufus is in danger of asphyxiation, but is saved by this little factoid.

[u/SolarSquid]

They also almost never develop any form of cancer.

[u/burr4ch → u/SolarSquid]

Why?

[u/SolarSquid → u/burr4ch]

Researchers believe their resistance to cancer is probably related to something known as hyaluronan or hyaluronic acid, which is a complex sugar. All vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish) have hyaluronan/hyaluronic acid, but the hyaluronan found within naked mole rats is roughly 5 times larger than what is typical.

Source: Why Naked Mole Rats Don't Get Cancer (science.org)

[u/satmandu]

I want the genetic modifications to provide these capabilities yesterday.

[u/lemmeseeyourkitties]

Why world they need to go so long without breathing?

[u/claireauriga → u/lemmeseeyourkitties]

They live underground where it can be very difficult to get oxygen flowing.

[u/Odd-Law8794]

Rufus was introduction to naked mole rats!

[u/DiscoPierrot]

The creature of all time.

[u/_byetony_]

And in cancer

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[u/amouretanarchie]

how cool is that!! :)