英国诺丁汉大学研究团队发现，柠檬霜豹纹壁虎在自然状态下具有异常高的癌症发病率，其肿瘤中的遗传变化与人类癌症存在相似的基因和生物学途径[1]。该壁虎品系约80%的个体会发生侵袭性肿瘤[1]，为癌症研究提供了一个独特的自然发病模型。
研究团队通过全基因组测序对肿瘤样本与健康组织进行比较分析[1]。诺丁汉大学、伯明翰大学、马奎特大学、佛罗里达大学和的里雅斯特大学等多所机构的研究人员参与了这项工作[1]。Dr. Ylenia Chiari表示，"该壁虎可能成为癌症研究中一个令人难以置信的模型，因为肿瘤在相对较早的年龄自然出现"[1]。相关研究成果已发表在《BMC Biology》期刊上[1]。
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have identified a striking parallel between tumors in lemon frost leopard geckos and human cancer, potentially opening new avenues for oncological study.[1] The team discovered that approximately 80% of individuals within this gecko lineage develop aggressive tumors, with genetic mutations in these growths mirroring similar genes and biological pathways found in human cancers.[1] The findings, published in BMC Biology, were obtained through whole-genome sequencing comparing tumor samples with healthy tissue.[1]
Dr. Ylenia Chiari from the research team emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating that "this gecko could be an incredible model for cancer research, because tumors appear naturally at a relatively early age."[1] The collaborative effort involved scientists from multiple institutions: the University of Nottingham, University of Birmingham, Marquette University, University of Florida, and the University of Trieste.[1]