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‘Zombie’ gene may protect elephants from cancer
Elephants possess an anti-cancer gene that can return from the dead.
Gene returns to life and kills cells with damaged DNA

A ‘zombie’ gene inherent in elephants may help to protect them against cancer, according to new research.

Humans and animals have one copy of the master suppressor gene, p53. The gene allows the body to recognise un-repaired DNA damage, a precursor of cancer, and causes those damaged cells to die.

But researchers at the Universities of Chicago and Utah recently found that elephants have 20 copies of p53. This makes their cells far more sensitive to damaged DNA and therefore quicker to die.

Now, new research reported in the journal Cell Reports details the second element of this process: an anti-cancer gene that can return from the dead.

“Genes duplicate all the time,” said Vincent Lynch, assistant professor of human genetics at the University of Chicago and the study’s senior author. “Sometimes they make mistakes, producing non-functional versions known as pseudogenes. We often refer to these dismissively as dead genes.”

While studying p53 in elephants, Lynch and his team discovered a former pseudogene - leukaemia inhibitory factor 6 (LIF6) - that had, by some means, evolved a new on-switch.

LIF6, which had returned from the dead, had become a valuable working gene. When activated by p53, its function is to respond to damaged DNA by killing the cell.

The LIF6 gene makes a protein that goes to the mitochondria, the cell’s main energy source. That protein pokes holes in the mitochondria, causing the cell to die.

“Hence, zombie,” said Lynch. “This dead gene came back to life. When it gets turned on by damaged DNA, it kills that cell, quickly. This is beneficial because it acts in response to genetic mistakes, errors made when the DNA is being repaired. Getting rid of that cell can prevent subsequent cancer.”

The researchers note that exactly how LIF6 triggers apoptosis remains unclear and will be the focus of future studies.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.