Genome of 194-year-old tortoise Jonathan reveals youthful mitochondrial gene regulation

An international team sequenced the genome of Jonathan, a 194-year-old giant tortoise, to investigate extreme longevity. They found that promoters controlling mitochondrial energy genes maintained an unusually orderly state, avoiding typical aging-related entropy. The findings, published in Science Advances, suggest possible ways to protect mitochondrial function and extend healthspan.

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Vanderbilt Health researchers, including a neurologist and genomics specialists, led an international effort to sequence Jonathan, a giant tortoise widely regarded as the oldest terrestrial animal currently alive. They studied regulatory switches for mitochondrial energy genes. The study appeared Oct. 7 in Science Advances and was overseen by Stephen (Wes) Clark, president and chief scientist of the Kallel Foundation, a Nashville longevity nonprofit.

Clark's interest began with a cancer question: tumors of the brain and central nervous system become more common through the mid-80s before leveling off, and neuroblastoma is seldom seen among nonagenarians. He explored whether DNA methylation—gene-regulating chemical tags—might link disorder, aging, and cancer protection. Sequencing tools introduced roughly two decades ago made such genomic and methylation studies possible.

Count P1: Vanderbilt1 Health2 researchers3 including4 a5 neurologist6 and7 genomics8 specialists9 led10 an11 international12 effort13 to14 sequence15 Jonathan16 a17 giant18 tortoise19 widely20 regarded21 as22 the23 oldest24 terrestrial25 animal