Bacterial gene helps deep-sea isopods endure years of fasting
Researchers discovered that supergiant deep-sea isopods carry a gene originally from bacteria, which enables them to slow their metabolism and survive over five years without food. The gene, called ND1, lacks typical animal features like introns and produces tiny proteins, indicating a rare horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to animals. This adaptation, paired with a large stomach, allows these crustaceans to gorge on infrequent meals and persist in the food-scarce deep ocean.
The ND1 gene, originally from bacteria residing in the isopod's gut, was integrated into the animal's genome over 16 million years ago. Its bacterial signature includes missing introns and small protein outputs, which help regulate energy production, particularly in cold, deep-sea conditions.
Experiments inserting this gene into other organisms, including human cells, produced a similar metabolic slowdown. The research, published in Cell, highlights the importance of deep-sea ecosystems, which cover over half the planet's surface, and offers insights into how these environments function and might be preserved.
This discovery could reshape our understanding of metabolic regulation and genetic evolution, potentially informing biomedical research into human metabolism and starvation resistance. Marine biologists may gain new tools for studying deep-sea biodiversity and conservation, as understanding these adaptations could help protect fragile ecosystems that cover much of the planet. The findings might also inspire novel approaches to managing energy efficiency in various fields, though practical applications remain speculative.