Greetings from the superhero “Batman” – the genetic adaptations behind the amazing abilities of the bats are now shown by the sequenced genomes of six species. In addition to the basics of their flying skills, echolocation and longevity, the genome can also provide important information in the fight against coronavirus and co. Because many zoonoses come from the bats and they themselves have a high resistance to the pathogens. The analyzes of the genomes have already provided first insights into the genetic basis of the fascinating characteristics of the bats.
They are probably the most bizarre representatives of mammals: the 1421 species of bats and fruit bats have made amazing adaptations that open up habitats and food sources that are inaccessible to other animals. They are most famous for their ability to fly in the dark. To do this, they emit high-frequency screams, the echoes of which are used to locate prey and obstacles.
But the physiology of the fluttering journeyman is also exceptional. Studies have shown that they are amazingly resistant to aging and the development of cancer. They also have a strong immune system against viruses. It is believed that this has led to a kind of arms race, which has led to the development of very aggressive pathogens in bats that can also infect humans: Coronavirus, Sars or Ebola – some particularly problematic viruses originally developed in bats.
Six genomes reveal secrets
Because of these special features, bats have been in the focus of science for some time. The global consortium “Bat1K” is now devoted to researching their genetics. Now the scientists are presenting genome sequences from six bats that outshine all previous genetic studies. “They provide a better understanding of how bats tolerate viruses, slow aging, and have developed flight and echolocation. With this knowledge of the genetic properties of bats, aging processes and human diseases may possibly be alleviated in the future, ”says first author Emma Teeling from University College Dublin.
In order to track down the genetic adaptations that led to the special characteristics of the bats, the scientists compared the six genomes with those of other mammals. “It is thanks to sophisticated statistical analysis that we have already started to uncover the genetics behind the ‘super powers’ of bats,” says co-author Liliana Dávalos from Stony Brook University. As she and her colleagues report, it is becoming apparent that some genes have been lost in the course of evolution, while others have been added.
Virus tolerance on the trail
“Our genome-wide searches have found changes in the genes of hearing. These changes could contribute to echolocation, ”says co-author Michael Hiller from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden. “We also discovered duplication of antiviral genes, changes in genes in the immune system, and loss of genes that promote inflammation. These changes could contribute to the extraordinary immunity of bats and their tolerance to coronaviruses, ”said Hiller. Another find also reflects the basis of the ability to tolerate viruses: The researchers found “fossil virus sequences” from many different pathogens in the genomes. This shows that bats have been exposed to many viral infections in the past, the scientists say.
The team also identified several interesting genetic regions with regulatory functions. “You could control the activity of the genes that are unique to bats. We have already been able to investigate the effect of specific bat microRNAs in the laboratory to show their effects on gene regulation, ”says co-author Sonja Vernes from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen. “In the future, we could use the genomes to understand how the regulatory regions and epigenomics contributed to the extraordinary adaptations,” says the researcher.
In addition to these insights, the team was also able to shed light on the question of how the bats should be classified in the pedigree of mammals. Of course, it had long been clear that they had nothing to do with the “mice”. However, comparisons of the bat genome with the genome of 42 other mammals now show that they are most closely related to a group called Ferungulata. They include, for example, carnivores like dogs and cats, but also ungulates.
As the team emphasizes, their research into the genetics of bats is just beginning. You plan to sequence more and more genomes. Because among the 1421 bat species there is a wide variety in terms of ecology, longevity, sensory perception and immunology. The Bat1K consortium will therefore continue to elucidate the genetic basis of the amazing superpowers of these mysterious beings.
Source: Stony Brook University, Max Planck Society, Technical article: Nature, doi: 10.1038 / s41586-020-2486-3