The transcriptome of the bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus reveals adaptations of the longest-lived mammal

Results and Discussion

We sequenced the liver, kidney and heart transcriptomes of bowhead whales by Illumina RNA-seq technology. The tissue samples (Fig. 1 and Supplemental Table 1) were sourced from native Iñupiaq Eskimo subsistence harvests in Barrow, Alaska. Using the de novo assembler Trinity [12, 13], approximately 659 million paired-end short reads from the bowhead whale were assembled into a single transcriptome per tissue (Supplemental Table 2). Using the Ensembl mouse gene dataset [14] as reference, we identified 9,395 protein-coding genes with one-to-one orthology between diverse mammalian taxa, including whales, a bat, rodents, a tree shrew and a primate (Fig. 2A).

Figure 1. The bowhead whale and overview of its geographic range. (A) Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). Reproduced courtesy of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., copyright 2002. Human and elephant are shown for size comparison. (B) Occurrence of B. mysticetus in Arctic waters. The site of sample collection (Barrow, Alaska) is shown as a red dot.

Figure 2. Overview of orthologous genes shared between the bowhead whale and other mammals and the phylogenetic position of the bowhead whale. (A) Venn diagram showing the number of common and unique orthologs identified in the liver, kidney and heart. (B) Estimation of divergence time using phylogenetic analysis of 10 species based on 6,998 orthologous genes from the liver. Triangle arrows and the numbers above denote the most recent common ancestor (MRCA), and the scale units are million years ago. The standard error range for each divergence time is represented by a dashed line. The red solid circles on the branch nodes denote the node as an ‘age constraint’ used in the estimation of the time of divergence.

Phylogenetic analysis of the gene expression dataset revealed that the bowhead and minke whales cluster within one evolutionary branch, with a sister group comprising the cow and yak. The bowhead whale and minke whale diverged approximately 13.3 million years ago (Mya) (Fig. 2B). The estimated molecular divergence time of bowhead and minke whales is slightly less than the estimates from comprehensive morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of cetacean phylogeny, examining both extant and fossil lineages in simultaneous analyses [15, 16]. It is thus likely that the common ancestor of the bowhead and minke whales lived approximately 13-27 million years ago.

To reveal candidate genes important in the bowhead's longevity, we compared the bowhead whale transcriptome with that of the minke whale (maximum lifespan of 50 years in the wild [17]), cow, yak, Brandt's bat, Chinese tree shrew, naked mole rat, rhesus macaque, mouse and rat. We also identified unique amino acid changes and rapidly evolving genes in the bowhead whale that may contribute to slow aging in this species.

Liver

The liver performs several functions vital to whole-body homeostasis. The integrity of liver function is thus important to longevity, and this organ has gained considerable attention in aging research. A total of 45 genes were differentially expressed in the bowhead whale liver compared to other mammals (Fig. 3, and Tables 1 and 2). In particular, the bowhead whale showed greatly reduced expression of growth factor receptor-bound protein 14 (Grb14) (Fig. 4A). Grb14 is normally highly expressed in the liver and kidney of rodents and humans [18]. In contrast to the liver, Grb14 showed moderate expression in the kidney of the bowhead whale (data not shown). GRB14 binds the receptors for insulin (IR) and IGF1 (IGF1R) to modulate downstream signaling [19-22]. Insulin itself decreases endogenous glucose production (gluconeogenesis) and promotes lipogenesis. Knockout of Grb14 in mouse reduces the amount of circulating insulin and enhances insulin responsiveness in the liver [21]. Similar effects were observed in primary murine hepatocytes, where RNAi knockdown of Grb14 augmented insulin-activated signaling and associated decreased expression of genes associated with gluconeogenesis [23]. During fasting and calorie restriction hepatic gluconeogenesis is required for tissues that lack enzymes required to metabolize free fatty acids (e.g. the brain) [24]. Elevated expression of Cited2 was observed in the bowhead whale (Fig. 4B).

Figure 3. Heat map displaying 45 genes differentially expressed in the bowhead whale liver. Genes with ≥2 log2-fold change and with a Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate ≤ 0.05) are shown. The color scheme was used wherein the gradient of red indicates decreased expression, and blue increased expression. Selected genes discussed in the text are highlighted. Hierarchical clustering of samples was based on Pearson's correlation of gene expression data.

Table 1. Genes differentially expressed in the liver of bowhead whales compared to other mammals

For each gene, gene counts were normalized across all replicates. We used an absolute value of log2 Ratio≥2, a Benjamini-Hochberg corrected P-value≤ 0.05, and a B-value of at least 2.945 (representing a 95% probability that a gene is differentially expressed) as the threshold to judge the significance of gene expression difference between the bowhead whale and other mammals. A negative fold change denotes a higher gene expression compared to the other mammals examined, and vice versa.

Gene symbol (mouse)	Ensembl transcript ID	Name	logFC	P-value	BH-adj. P-value	B-value
Adamts13	ENSMUST00000102891	a disintegrin-like and metallopeptidase (reprolysin type) with thrombospondin type 1 motif	−3.84	5.55E-006	8.95E-004	4.06
Arap3	ENSMUST00000042944	ArfGAP with RhoGAP domain	−2.40	9.01E-007	1.96E-004	5.81
Atp6v1b2	ENSMUST00000006435	ATPase	2.94	1.42E-008	1.34E-005	9.66
BC027231	ENSMUST00000048788	cDNA sequence BC027231	−3.12	6.29E-007	1.61E-004	6.15
Bgn	ENSMUST00000033741	biglycan	−2.45	8.00E-006	1.13E-003	3.70
Card10	ENSMUST00000164826	caspase recruitment domain family	−3.61	2.61E-007	8.67E-005	7.00
Cited2	ENSMUST00000038107	Cbp/p300-interacting transactivator	−3.08	1.14E-005	1.37E-003	3.37
Cxx1b	ENSMUST00000088778	CAAX box 1B	−3.87	3.26E-007	9.67E-005	6.78
Cyp2r1	ENSMUST00000032908	cytochrome P450	3.42	5.80E-007	1.56E-004	6.21
Dtd1	ENSMUST00000028917	D-tyrosyl-tRNA deacylase 1	−2.16	6.96E-007	1.64E-004	6.06
Epg5	ENSMUST00000044622	ectopic P-granules autophagy protein 5 homolog (C. elegans)	−4.10	2.70E-006	5.26E-004	4.76
Epha2	ENSMUST00000006614	Eph receptor A2	−2.76	5.78E-006	8.98E-004	4.03
Fam129b	ENSMUST00000028135	family with sequence similarity 129	−2.97	3.10E-007	9.67E-005	6.83
Fam92a	ENSMUST00000108285	family with sequence similarity 92	2.96	6.59E-007	1.62E-004	6.09
Fbln5	ENSMUST00000021603	fibulin 5	−4.57	5.76E-008	4.65E-005	8.43
Grb14	ENSMUST00000028252	growth factor receptor bound protein 14	5.21	4.61E-009	5.20E-006	10.73
Ift122	ENSMUST00000112923	intraflagellar transport 122	−3.02	6.41E-006	9.52E-004	3.93
Igj	ENSMUST00000087033	immunoglobulin joining chain	−3.30	9.15E-006	1.20E-003	3.59
Insig1	ENSMUST00000059155	insulin induced gene 1	3.04	8.94E-006	1.20E-003	3.63
Ints2	ENSMUST00000018212	integrator complex subunit 2	−2.85	5.89E-006	8.98E-004	4.01
Iqsec1	ENSMUST00000189881	IQ motif and Sec7 domain 1	5.16	2.00E-007	7.52E-005	7.22
Lgals3	ENSMUST00000142734	lectin	−3.58	1.15E-007	6.48E-005	7.78
Lrrfip2	ENSMUST00000035078	leucine rich repeat (in FLII) interacting protein 2	2.61	2.52E-007	8.67E-005	6.99
Masp2	ENSMUST00000052060	mannan-binding lectin serine peptidase 2	3.46	2.63E-009	4.94E-006	11.32
Med28	ENSMUST00000156481	mediator complex subunit 28	3.16	1.93E-006	3.89E-004	5.08
Nemf	ENSMUST00000021368	nuclear export mediator factor	3.48	3.17E-006	5.77E-004	4.61
Ngef	ENSMUST00000068681	neuronal guanine nucleotide exchange factor	5.16	1.26E-007	6.48E-005	7.65
Nos3	ENSMUST00000030834	nitric oxide synthase 3	−3.58	7.94E-006	1.13E-003	3.72
Orc5	ENSMUST00000030872	origin recognition complex	2.69	1.92E-006	3.89E-004	5.09
Pdgfrb	ENSMUST00000115274	platelet derived growth factor receptor	−4.44	3.62E-006	6.38E-004	4.48
Perp	ENSMUST00000019998	PERP	4.91	6.10E-010	3.44E-006	12.57
Pglyrp2	ENSMUST00000170392	peptidoglycan recognition protein 2	6.23	1.25E-009	3.52E-006	11.93
Rasip1	ENSMUST00000057927	Ras interacting protein 1	−4.69	9.75E-008	6.11E-005	7.94
Rnase4	ENSMUST00000022428	ribonuclease	3.21	3.60E-007	1.01E-004	6.69
Rpa2	ENSMUST00000102561	replication protein A2	−2.42	2.87E-006	5.41E-004	4.70
Rpusd4	ENSMUST00000034543	RNA pseudouridylate synthase domain containing 4	−4.13	1.84E-007	7.52E-005	7.33
Slc25a38	ENSMUST00000035106	solute carrier family 25	2.90	8.36E-007	1.89E-004	5.87
Smad2	ENSMUST00000168423	SMAD family member 2	2.12	1.58E-005	1.81E-003	3.09
Ssbp4	ENSMUST00000049908	single stranded DNA binding protein 4	−2.50	8.39E-006	1.15E-003	3.68
Tie1	ENSMUST00000047421	tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and EGF-like domains 1	−3.79	8.04E-008	5.67E-005	8.12
Timp2	ENSMUST00000017610	tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2	−5.09	3.71E-009	5.20E-006	11.02
Top1	ENSMUST00000109468	topoisomerase (DNA) I	2.18	1.07E-005	1.35E-003	3.45
Vac14	ENSMUST00000034190	Vac14 homolog (S. cerevisiae)	−2.27	1.87E-007	7.52E-005	7.32
Wsb1	ENSMUST00000017821	WD repeat and SOCS box-containing 1	−4.40	1.57E-007	7.40E-005	7.48
Zfp143	ENSMUST00000084727	zinc finger protein 143	−2.43	5.19E-006	8.62E-004	4.13

Table 2. Enrichment of biological process (BP) Gene Ontology (GO) terms for genes differentially expressed in the bowhead liver compared to other mammals

GO Category	Term	Count	Genes	Fold Enrichment	Fisher's exact P-value
GO:0001501	skeletal system development	4	Epha2, Insig1, Lgals3, Pdgfrb	7.3	2.00E-003
GO:0048568	embryonic organ development	3	Epha2, Cited2, Insig1	7.4	7.20E-003
GO:0006260	DNA replication	3	Orc5, Rpa2, Top1	6.1	1.30E-002
GO:0040013	negative regulation of locomotion	2	Arap3, Tie1	22.1	3.50E-003
GO:0030336	negative regulation of cell migration	2	Arap3, Tie1	22.1	3.50E-003
GO:0001570	vasculogenesis	2	Epha2, Cited2	20.6	4.00E-003
GO:0051271	negative regulation of cell motion	2	Arap3, Tie1	19.2	4.60E-003

Figure 4. Boxplots of selected genes differentially expressed in the bowhead whale liver. (A) Growth factor receptor bound protein 14 (Grb14). (B) Insulin induced gene 1 (Insig1). (C) Cbp/p300-interacting transactivator (Cited2). (D) TP53 Apoptosis Effector (Perp). Genes were subjected to limma analysis at 5% FDR and 2.0 fold-change cut-off. Normalized log2 read counts and P-values adjusted for multiple comparisons (Benjamini and Hochberg) are shown.

CITED2 is upregulated during fasting, increases the activity of transcriptional co-activator PGC-1α,and directly induces hepatic gluconeogenesis [25]. Interestingly, a recent study found that elevated PGC-1αactivity retards aging in Drosophila (26) and it has been hypothesized to also influence longevity in mammals (27). These data suggest that gluconeogenesis is sustained in the bowhead whale despite reduced expression of Grb14. Surprisingly, knockdown of Grb14 in mouse hepatocytes also potently inhibits maturation of sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebf1, often denoted as SREBP1) and decreases lipogenesis, rendering lipogenic genes unresponsive to insulin [23]. In agreement, we observed decreased expression of insulin-induced gene 1 (Insig1, a downstream target of SREBP1 [23, 28-29]) in the bowhead whale liver (Fig. 4C), indicative of reduced activities along the GRB14/SREBP1 axis.

Calorie restriction and modulation of the insulin/IGF1-signaling pathway are key modulators of aging and have potent effects on lipid homeostasis [30]. Lipid metabolism, therefore, plays a central role in lifespan regulation in metazoan eukaryotes. While carbohydrates are a major contributor to metabolism of terrestrial mammals, marine mammals subsist on a high-energy, lipid-rich diet [31]. Notably, the bowhead whale diet consists of zooplankton with very high lipid content [32, 33]. Toothed whales, such as the common bottlenose dolphin, which has a maximum lifespan of ~52 years in captivity [34], can exhibit pathology that parallels type two diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome of humans. This includes a high prevalence of insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, and chronic overproduction of Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) by the liver (dyslipidemia) [35-37]. Our data suggest that reduced Grb14 expression in the bowhead whale improves energy homeostasis in an animal that depends on an exceptionally lipid-rich diet. This beneficial adaptation may serve to protect the long-lived bowhead whale against chronic dietary diseases.

It has been proposed that the longevity of large mammals, such as the bowhead whale and elephant, stem from a lack of non-human predators, slow development and concomitant tight control of nutrient sensing pathways, in particular the insulin/TOR signaling axis [38]. Small African mole rats and many bats live in protected environments and are long-lived relative to animals of similar size, but may in contrast have evolved genetic changes that allow them to slow down aging after a comparatively rapid development [38]. Sequence and expression changes of genes involved in hepatic metabolism have been reported for Brandt's bat [39] and naked mole rat [40], two terrestrial species in our dataset that are long-lived compared to related species. Interestingly, in agreement with the previous studies that compared a smaller set of species, we found that Foxo1 (forkhead box O1) and Fto (fat mass and obesity associated) were differentially expressed in liver of the Brandt's bat and naked mole rat, respectively (Supplemental Tables 3-6). The transcription factor FOXO1, like PGC-1α, is a classical mediator of gluconeogenesis in species ranging from worms to mammals, and Foxo1 and its upstream regulator Creb1 [24] are expressed at a higher level in the Brandt's bat liver (Supplemental Table 3). Elevated hepatic Foxo1 mRNA expression in the Brandt's bat reconciles with increased longevity in calorie restricted and growth hormone receptor knockout mice [41], the worm C. elegans [42] and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster [43]. This result strongly suggests that elevated hepatic Foxo1 expression contributes to the longevity of the Brandt's bat. The naked mole rat has a highly divergent insulin peptide that may be compensated by autocrine/paracrine IGF2 in the adult liver and displays physiological changes consistent with an altered insulin/IGF1 axis [40, 44]. In the naked mole rat, fat mass and obesity associated mRNA (encoded by Fto) is expressed at a lower level compared to the other species examined (Supplemental Table 5). Fto regulates glucose metabolism in the liver and its reduced expression protects against obesity and metabolic syndrome, and associated pathology such as insulin resistance [45-47]. Taken together, we propose that fundamental longevity-promoting mechanisms in the long-lived bowhead whale, Brandt's bat and naked mole rat stem from overlapping but distinct expression and sequence changes in metabolism genes.

Living under water also entails a unique set of challenges. Compared with the other mammals, the bowhead liver had lower expression of the apoptosis-associated p53 target gene Perp (TP53 Apoptosis Effector) (Fig. 4D). Under hypoxic stress, p53 is activated to trigger cellular apoptosis as a protective response, but this may not be appropriate for mammals with only intermittent assess to oxygen. It has been shown in mouse kidney that Perp knockdown protected cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis [48]. Low levels of Perp may therefore increase stress tolerance in the bowhead whale liver. In addition, we observed increased expression of genes that enhance vasculature maintenance (EPH receptor A2 (Epha2) [49]), regulate vascular tone and proliferation (endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (Nos3) [50, 51]) and promote DNA repair (replication protein A2 (Rpa2) [52, 53]) (Fig. 3, Tables 1 and 2), which may also represent adaptations to limited oxygen availability and water pressure in the aquatic environment.

Cardiovascular system

Other extraordinarily long-lived species, such as the naked mole rat, possess biological adaptations endowing resilience to aging-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer [54, 55]. The availability of a single heart sample precluded differential gene expression analysis of the bowhead whale alone. Using transcriptome data from a bowhead whale heart and a minke whale heart [8], we compared these marine mammals to the terrestrial ones and identified four differentially expressed genes in whales (Table 3). Of these, argininosuccinate lyase (Asl) is particularly interesting. The expression of Asl, which is essential for NO production in the heart [56], was 4.4-fold higher in the whales (Table 3). Reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide (NO) provides cytoprotection of tissues during hypoxic events [57] and serves to preserve cardiac function in the diving and hibernating red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) [58]. Cardiovascular regulation is critical during diving in all marine mammal species, and evidence suggests that hypoxia-sensitive tissues such as the brain and heart have adapted to low oxygen conditions while diving [59]. We speculate that elevated expression of Asl improves cardiac metabolism and function of diving cetaceans.

Table 3. Genes differentially expressed in the bowhead and minke whale heart compared to other mammals

For each gene, gene counts were normalized across all replicates. We used an absolute value of log2 Ratio≥2, a Benjamini-Hochberg corrected P-value≤ 0.05, and a B-value of at least 2.945 (representing a 95% probability that a gene is differentially expressed) as the threshold to judge the significance of gene expression difference between whales and other mammals. A negative fold change denotes a higher gene expression compared to the other mammals examined, and vice versa.

Gene symbol (mouse)	Ensembl transcript ID	Name	logFC	P-value	BH-adj. P-value	B-value
Asl	ENSMUST00000161094	argininosuccinate lyase	−4.40	1.43E-005	1.50E-002	3.19
Brk1	ENSMUST00000035725	BRICK1, SCAR/WAVE actin-nucleating complex subunit	−2.85	5.69E-006	7.93E-003	3.96
Eif3l	ENSMUST00000040518	eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3, subunit L	−2.46	2.28E-006	4.77E-003	4.95
Htatip2	ENSMUST00000085272	HIV-1 tat interactive protein 2, homolog (human)	−6.00	1.40E-007	5.87E-004	6.99

Amino-acid residues that are uniquely altered in a lineage can reveal clues to functional adaptations [39, 60]. In addition to differential gene expression patterns, we identified a unique amino acid change with potential relevance to vascular aging in the bowhead whale (Table 4). An examination of 68 vertebrate genomes, including 6 cetaceans (Supplemental Table 7), revealed a unique amino acid change in bowhead whale c-fos induced growth factor (Figf, coding for vascular endothelial growth factor D, VEGFD) (Fig. 5). VEGFD plays a role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis [61, 62]. The radical amino acid change, neutral polar residues replaced by a charged residue (SerThrGln174Arg), in bowhead whale VEGFD flanks a large hydrophobic surface that interacts with the cognate receptor VEGFR-2 [63]. Although this finding must be corroborated with experimental data, we speculate that the arginine substitution may serve to improve the interaction of VEGFD with its cognate receptor, potentially aiding maintenance of vascular health in bowhead whales.

Table 4. Proteins with unique amino acids in the bowhead whale compared to 67 vertebrates

AA changes correspond to residue locations in the translated human RefSeq mRNA entry (typically the longest RefSeq entry of each gene). Genes shown in bold were checked by BLAST analysis of raw sequence data. Some of the genes in this table, especially those not shown in bold, may be false-positives.

Gene name	Symbol (human)	RefSeq ID	AA change(s)
actin-binding Rho activating protein	ABRA	NM_139166	HKR283P
adaptor-related protein complex 3, beta 1 subunit	AP3B1	NM_003664	R1086Q
annexin A7	ANXA7	NM_001156	Y410C
arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase	ALOX5	NM_000698	D204N
calcium homeostasis modulator 2	CALHM2	NM_015916	F172C
calsyntenin 2	CLSTN2	NM_022131	Q362H
cell division cycle associated 7	CDCA7	NM_145810	ED257K
c-fos induced growth factor (vascular endothelial growth factor D)	FIGF	NM_004469	STQ174R
ClpB caseinolytic peptidase B homolog (E. coli)	CLPB	NM_001258392	HR226W
complement component 5	C5	NM_001735	I760K
cytidine and dCMP deaminase domain containing 1	CDADC1	NM_030911	YQ367C
derlin 1	DERL1	NM_024295	R197G
enhancer of polycomb homolog 1 (Drosophila)	EPC1	NM_001272004	G562R
erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 1	EPB41L1	NM_001258329	K478M
fucose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase	FPGT	NM_003838	HK339E
gem (nuclear organelle) associated protein 4	GEMIN4	NM_015721	KR721T
gigaxonin	GAN	NM_022041	E74V
glutamate receptor, ionotropic, kainate 2	GRIK2	NM_175768	Y571C, Q621R
glutamate receptor, metabotropic 1	GRM1	NM_001278066	E559D
heat shock protein 90kDa alpha (cytosolic), class B member 1	HSP90AB1	NM_001271971	H121T
homeodomain interacting protein kinase 1	HIPK1	NM_181358	SP465C
homeodomain interacting protein kinase 3	HIPK3	NM_005734	Q698H
ligase III, DNA, ATP-dependent	LIG3	NM_013975	D255N
mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7	MAP3K7	NM_145331	V424D
MMS19 nucleotide excision repair homolog (S. cerevisiae)	MMS19	NM_022362	SLT202C
Nance-Horan syndrome (congenital cataracts and dental anomalies)	NHS	NM_001291868	R388Q
NEDD4 binding protein 3	N4BP3	NM_015111	Q384H
neuronal pentraxin II	NPTX2	NM_002523	Q375H
NOP2 nucleolar protein	NOP2	NM_001258310	YF516C
NRDE-2, necessary for RNA interference, domain containing	NRDE2	NM_017970	H592Q
nuclear receptor coactivator 2	NCOA2	NM_006540	F441C
nuclear receptor coactivator 7	NCOA7	NM_181782	SAT160D
nucleolar protein 6 (RNA-associated)	NOL6	NM_022917	R582L
oncoprotein induced transcript 3	OIT3	NM_152635	P353R
oxidative stress induced growth inhibitor family member 2	OSGIN2	NM_004337	ED194K
PALM2-AKAP2 readthrough	PALM2-AKAP2	NM_147150	ED488G
patched 1	PTCH1	NM_000264	S1185C
phosphodiesterase 4D interacting protein	PDE4DIP	NM_001002811	SGNTP264R
polymerase (DNA-directed), delta interacting protein 3	POLDIP3	NM_032311	Q198R
potassium voltage-gated channel, Shal-related subfamily, member 2	KCND2	NM_012281	L457R
protein kinase, cAMP-dependent, regulatory, type I, alpha	PRKAR1A	NM_212472	N26D
protocadherin alpha subfamily C, 2	PCDHAC2	NM_018899	K884Q
serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade C (antithrombin), member 1	SERPINC1	NM_000488	E359D
striatin, calmodulin binding protein	STRN	NM_003162	ED279V
transmembrane protein 214	TMEM214	NM_017727	R251Q
transmembrane protein 25	TMEM25	NM_032780	G162D
tripartite motif containing 29	TRIM29	NM_012101	Q250H
tyrosine aminotransferase	TAT	NM_000353	Y442H
vacuolar protein sorting 13 homolog B (yeast)	VPS13B	NM_015243	G567R

Figure 5. Evolution of vertebrate VEGFD protein sequences. (A) Alignment of vertebrate VEGFD protein sequences. VEGFD residues at the VEGFR-2 receptor-ligand interface are highlighted in yellow, highly conserved cysteine residues that stabilize VEGFD in orange, and a radical amino acid in the bowhead whale, but not in 67 other species, is shown in red. (B) Modeled VEGFD structure. Location of the unique arginine residue in the bowhead whale protein is shown.

Kidney

Aging-induced changes in the kidney include reduced repair and/or regeneration of cells, which is concomitant with decreases in glomerular filtration rate and blood flow [64, 65]. Comparison of the bowhead whale kidney transcriptome with those of other mammals revealed that 53 genes were differentially expressed in the bowhead whale kidney (Tables 5 and 6). Among these was a battery of DNA repair associated genes. For example, SprT-like N-terminal domain (Sprtn) [66]; non-SMC condensin I complex, subunit D2 (Ncapd2) [67]; ligase I, DNA, ATP-dependent (Lig1) [68]; and Rpa2 [52, 53] which also was elevated in the liver, were expressed at higher levels in the bowhead whale kidney (Table 5). The mitochondrial stress inhibitor Junb [69], as well as genes associated with tumor suppression, was also expressed at higher levels in the bowhead whale kidney. These latter genes included E4F transcription factor 1 (E4fl) which directly interacts with the tumor suppressors p53, RASSF1A, pRB and p14ARF [70]; ADP-ribosylation factor-like 2 (Arl2) [71]; protein kinase C, delta binding protein (Prkcdbp; also known as hSRBC) [72, 73]; and Egr1 [74]. We speculate that this series of genes protect against age-related kidney tissue decline in the bowhead whale.

Table 5. Genes differentially expressed in the kidney of bowhead whales compared to other mammals

For each gene, gene counts were normalized across all replicates. We used an absolute value of log2 Ratio≥2, Benjamini-Hochberg corrected P-value≤ 0.05 a B-value of at least 2.945 (representing a 95% probability that a gene is differentially expressed) as the threshold to judge the significance of gene expression difference between the bowhead whale and other mammals. A negative fold change denotes a higher gene expression compared to the other mammals examined, and vice versa.

Gene symbol (mouse)	Ensembl transcript ID	Name	logFC	P-value	BH-adj. P-value	B-value
Adamts1	ENSMUST00000023610	a disintegrin-like and metallopeptidase (reprolysin type) with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 1	−2.08	2.6E-07	1.0E-04	6.98
Ankrd6	ENSMUST00000035719	ankyrin repeat domain 6	−3.37	2.5E-06	3.2E-04	4.84
Arhgef19	ENSMUST00000006618	Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) 19	−3.41	2.9E-07	1.0E-04	6.89
Arl2	ENSMUST00000025893	ADP-ribosylation factor-like 2	−2.36	1.2E-06	2.2E-04	5.52
Atp5g2	ENSMUST00000185641	ATP synthase, H+ transporting, mitochondrial F0 complex, subunit C2 (subunit 9)	−2.22	8.6E-07	1.8E-04	5.83
Cdh3	ENSMUST00000080797	cadherin 3	−3.41	7.6E-06	6.6E-04	3.73
Cep170	ENSMUST00000057037	centrosomal protein 170	−2.71	1.5E-06	2.3E-04	5.36
Cpsf3l	ENSMUST00000030901	cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor 3-like	−2.44	3.3E-06	3.9E-04	4.52
Cxx1b	ENSMUST00000088778	CAAX box 1B	−2.29	1.6E-06	2.3E-04	5.25
Dennd4b	ENSMUST00000098914	DENN/MADD domain containing 4B	−2.68	2.3E-06	3.0E-04	4.92
E4f1	ENSMUST00000056032	E4F transcription factor 1	−2.08	1.7E-05	1.1E-03	2.99
Egr1	ENSMUST00000064795	early growth response 1	−4.04	2.2E-07	9.4E-05	7.16
Epb4.1l2	ENSMUST00000053748	erythrocyte protein band 4.1-like 2	−2.41	2.2E-08	2.0E-05	9.36
Fancg	ENSMUST00000030165	Fanconi anemia, complementation group G	−3.22	1.0E-05	7.6E-04	3.51
Galnt11	ENSMUST00000045737	UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 11	2.33	7.9E-06	6.6E-04	3.69
Gja4	ENSMUST00000053753	gap junction protein, alpha 4	−3.17	7.3E-08	4.8E-05	8.21
Gltscr2	ENSMUST00000044158	glioma tumor suppressor candidate region gene 2	−2.60	2.2E-08	2.0E-05	9.40
Hdac11	ENSMUST00000041736	histone deacetylase 11	−2.01	8.3E-07	1.8E-04	5.89
Heatr1	ENSMUST00000059270	HEAT repeat containing 1	2.60	1.2E-06	2.2E-04	5.47
Hecw2	ENSMUST00000120904	HECT, C2 and WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2	−2.62	7.8E-07	1.8E-04	5.94
Hoxa5	ENSMUST00000048794	homeobox A5	−3.44	7.9E-06	6.6E-04	3.73
Igsf11	ENSMUST00000023478	immunoglobulin superfamily, member 11	4.09	9.2E-07	1.9E-04	5.72
Junb	ENSMUST00000064922	jun B proto-oncogene	−3.44	1.5E-06	2.3E-04	5.29
Klf9	ENSMUST00000036884	Kruppel-like factor 9	2.26	9.3E-06	7.2E-04	3.60
Lig1	ENSMUST00000177588	ligase I, DNA, ATP-dependent	−2.50	9.3E-06	7.2E-04	3.54
Lrfn4	ENSMUST00000113822	leucine rich repeat and fibronectin type III domain containing 4	−2.78	5.0E-07	1.4E-04	6.37
Marc2	ENSMUST00000068725	mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component 2	5.01	2.6E-07	1.0E-04	6.90
Ncapd2	ENSMUST00000043848	non-SMC condensin I complex, subunit D2	−2.14	1.3E-08	1.5E-05	9.91
Ncs1	ENSMUST00000000199	neuronal calcium sensor 1	−2.40	8.7E-07	1.8E-04	5.84
Nfya	ENSMUST00000046719	nuclear transcription factor-Y alpha	3.45	2.2E-07	9.4E-05	7.02
Nipsnap3b	ENSMUST00000015391	nipsnap homolog 3B (C. elegans)	−2.47	5.0E-06	5.0E-04	4.18
Nle1	ENSMUST00000103213	notchless homolog 1 (Drosophila)	−3.32	7.1E-10	2.6E-06	12.57
Nme6	ENSMUST00000035053	NME/NM23 nucleoside diphosphate kinase 6	2.34	4.7E-07	1.4E-04	6.30
Nr4a1	ENSMUST00000023779	nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1	−5.09	1.5E-07	7.7E-05	7.53
Palld	ENSMUST00000121785	palladin, cytoskeletal associated protein	4.13	7.0E-09	1.3E-05	10.13
Pmf1	ENSMUST00000056370	polyamine-modulated factor 1	−2.39	8.1E-06	6.7E-04	3.72
Pomk	ENSMUST00000061850	protein-O-mannose kinase	−2.21	1.0E-06	2.0E-04	5.72
Por	ENSMUST00000005651	P450 (cytochrome) oxidoreductase	2.49	4.8E-06	5.0E-04	4.18
Prelid1	ENSMUST00000021942	PRELI domain containing 1	2.72	1.4E-07	7.7E-05	7.56
Prkcdbp	ENSMUST00000047040	protein kinase C, delta binding protein	−3.03	1.6E-06	2.3E-04	5.25
Psmg3	ENSMUST00000031531	proteasome (prosome, macropain) assembly chaperone 3	−2.12	3.8E-06	4.3E-04	4.43
Rpa2	ENSMUST00000102561	replication protein A2	−2.61	1.2E-08	1.5E-05	9.95
Rpl10	ENSMUST00000008826	ribosomal protein L10	−2.37	7.7E-07	1.8E-04	5.93
Rps17	ENSMUST00000080813	ribosomal protein S17	−2.34	1.1E-05	7.9E-04	3.33
Scg5	ENSMUST00000024005	secretogranin V	−2.81	6.8E-07	1.7E-04	6.07
Sema4c	ENSMUST00000114991	sema domain, immunoglobulin domain (Ig), transmembrane domain (TM) and short cytoplasmic domain, (semaphorin) 4C	−2.55	1.4E-07	7.7E-05	7.58
Sprtn	ENSMUST00000034467	SprT-like N-terminal domain	−2.14	1.6E-06	2.3E-04	5.25
St7	ENSMUST00000081635	suppression of tumorigenicity 7	2.56	9.5E-06	7.3E-04	3.58
Syf2	ENSMUST00000030622	SYF2 homolog, RNA splicing factor (S. cerevisiae)	2.03	1.2E-05	8.6E-04	3.33
Tle2	ENSMUST00000146358	transducin-like enhancer of split 2, homolog of Drosophila E(spl)	−2.60	1.6E-06	2.3E-04	5.25
Traf1	ENSMUST00000172159	TNF receptor-associated factor 1	−3.11	1.2E-06	2.2E-04	5.56
Usp9x	ENSMUST00000089302	ubiquitin specific peptidase 9, X chromosome	5.60	5.1E-11	3.7E-07	14.39
Zdhhc1	ENSMUST00000044286	zinc finger, DHHC domain containing 1	−2.16	3.7E-09	8.9E-06	11.09

Table 6. Enrichment of biological process (BP) Gene Ontology (GO) terms for genes differentially expressed in the kidney of bowhead whales compared to other mammals

GO Category	Term	Count	Genes	Fold Enrichment	Fisher's exact P-value
GO:0000087	M phase of mitotic cell cycle	8	Usp9x, E4f1, Pmf1, Ncapd2	6.1	3.80E-003
GO:0007067	mitosis	8	Usp9x, E4f1, Pmf1, Ncapd2	6.1	3.80E-003
GO:0000280	nuclear division	8	Usp9x, E4f1, Pmf1, Ncapd2	6.1	3.80E-003
GO:0006350	transcription	20	Egr1, Klf9, Hoxa5, Nr4a1, Tle2, E4f1, Hdac11, Nfya, Pmf1, Junb	2.2	1.10E-002
GO:0048285	organelle fission	8	Usp9x, E4f1, Pmf1, Ncapd2	5.9	4.40E-003
GO:0000279	M phase	8	Usp9x, E4f1, Pmf1, Ncapd2	4.9	8.40E-003
GO:0000278	mitotic cell cycle	8	Usp9x, E4f1, Pmf1, Ncapd2	4.8	8.80E-003
GO:0022403	cell cycle phase	8	Usp9x, E4f1, Pmf1, Ncapd2	4.2	1.40E-002
GO:0051301	cell division	8	Usp9x, E4f1, Pmf1, Ncapd2	4.1	1.60E-002
GO:0001825	blastocyst formation	4	Nle1, Junb	24.7	2.80E-003
GO:0045449	regulation of transcription	20	Egr1, Klf9, Hoxa5, Nr4a1, Tle2, E4f1, Hdac11, Nfya, Pmf1, Junb	1.8	4.00E-002

Expanding on the theme of improved genome integrity and repair, we found a radical amino acid change SerLeuThr202Cys in the HEAT2 domain of bowhead whale MMS19 nucleotide excision repair homolog (encoded by Mms19) (Table 4). This highly conserved protein plays an essential role in genome stability by facilitating iron-sulfur (FeS) cluster insertion into proteins involved in methionine biosynthesis, DNA replication and repair and telomere maintenance [75, 76]. Reactive cysteines in assembly complex proteins, such as MMS19, assist in the transfer of FeS clusters to target proteins [77]. The amino acid change in bowhead whale MMS19 may confer systemic robustness to damage and/or longevity.

Rapid gene evolution analysis

Identification of positively selected genes can reveal insights into unique adaptations. Of the 9,395 1:1 orthologs from the species shown in Fig. 2B, eight genes showed evidence of positive selection in the bowhead whale lineage (Table 7). Similar to comparisons between human and other primates [78], the small number of positively selected genes in the Arctic bowhead whale may reflect a reduced efficacy of natural selection. Indeed, the bowhead whale has a long generation time (~50 years) and a small population size compared to the common minke whale and the other mammals examined here [79]. Unique amino acid changes were recently identified in cetacean haptoglobin (encoded by Hp) [8], a protein that protects against hemoglobin-driven oxidative stress [80]. Hp is under positive selection in the bowhead whale (Table 7), suggesting that this gene is rapidly evolving in the long-lived bowhead. Four positively selected genes in the bowhead whale lineage have roles in cancer: mitochondrial tumor suppressor 1 (Mtus1) [81]; glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha (Gsk3a) and prune exopolyphosphatase (Prune), which act in concert to regulate cell migration [82]; and cytoplasmic FMR1 interacting protein 1 (Cyfip1) [83].

Table 7. Positively selected genes in the bowhead whale

Gene symbol (mouse)	Ensembl transcript ID	Gene description
BC026585	ENSMUST00000046743	quinone oxidoreductase-like protein 2-like
Cyfip1	ENSMUST00000032629	cytoplasmic FMR1 interacting protein 1
Ecm1	ENSMUST00000117507	extracellular matrix protein 1
Gsk3a	ENSMUST00000071739	glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha
Gtf2i	ENSMUST00000059042	general transcription factor II I
Hp	ENSMUST00000074898	haptoglobin
Mtus1	ENSMUST00000059115	mitochondrial tumor suppressor 1
Prune	ENSMUST00000015855	prune exopolyphosphatase

Concluding comments

Here, we report the transcriptome of the bowhead whale, the longest-lived mammal known. We compared the gene expression of the bowhead whale to shorter-lived mammals, including the minke whale which we estimate to have diverged from a common ancestor approximately 13-27 million years ago (Mya). This is similar to the great apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans and humans) which share a common ancestor ~13 Mya [84], or human and rhesus macaques which diverged ~25 Mya [85]. Among higher primates, humans are exceptionally long-lived [86]. Similarly, the bowhead whale has increased maximum lifespan compared to related cetaceans. It has been proposed that the difference in longevity between humans and other primates stems from differential expression of a small number of genes [87]. A recent study comparing humans to eight other mammals, including primates, revealed that 93 liver and 253 kidney genes showed evidence of human lineage-specific expression changes [88]. The number of genes differentially expressed in the bowhead whale liver (45 genes) and kidney (53 genes) compared to other mammals is similar, albeit obtained using a different computational method. We speculate that the genes differentially expressed, with unique coding sequence changes and rapidly evolving in the bowhead whale, represent candidate longevity-promoting genes. We particularly stress the findings suggestive of altered insulin signaling and adaptation to a lipid-rich diet. The availability of a single heart tissue sample from the bowhead whale precluded identification of distinct gene expression patterns in the long-lived bowhead whale, but revealed that argininosuccinate lyase (Asl) may protect the heart of cetaceans during hypoxic events such as diving. The bowhead whale transcriptome provides valuable resource for further research, including genome annotation and analysis, the evolution of longevity, adaptation to an aquatic environment, conservation efforts and as a reference for closely related species.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Iñupiaq Eskimo hunters of Barrow for access to captured bowhead whales and for their extraordinary cooperation and involvement. We hope our work is helpful to the conservation of bowhead whales and communities that rely on them. We acknowledge the efforts of Wesley Warren and the Genome Institute at the Washington University School of Medicine, and the Broad Institute in assembling the genome sequence of the sperm whale (Physeter catodon). Next generation sequencing data was submitted to the NCBI Sequence Read Archive (study number PRJNA263931).

Funding

This work was supported by NIH grants AG047745 and AG047200.

Conflicts of Interest

There is no conflict of interest disclosed for any author.

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