Insights into Longevity and Virus-Driven Adaptation from Myotis Bat Genomes

Authors

• Juan M. Vazquez, The Pennsylvania State University
• M. Elise Lauterbur, The University of Vermont
• Saba Mottaghinia, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association
• Léa Gaucherand, Université de Strasbourg
• Sarah Maesen, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI)
• Michael Singer, University of California - Berkeley
• Sarah Villa, University of California - Berkeley
• Melanie Bucci, University of Arizona
• Devaughn Fraser, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Genavieve Gray-Sandoval, University of Arizona
• Zeinab R. Haidar, California State Polytechnic University
• Melissa Han, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
• William Kohler, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
• Tanya Lama, Smith CollegeFollow
• et al, various institutions

Author ORCID Identifier

Juan Manuel Vazquez: 0000-0001-8341-2390

M. Elise Lauterbur: 0000-0002-7362-3618

Saba Mottaghinia: 0000-0002-9409-3302

Lea Gaucherand: 0000-0002-4477-1021

Michael Singer: 0000-0001-9941-7217

Tanya M. Lama: 0000-0002-7372-8081

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-26-2026

Publication Title

Nature

Abstract

The genus Myotis is one of the largest clades of bats, and it exhibits some of the most extreme variation in lifespans among mammals, alongside unique adaptations to viral tolerance and immune defence^1–3. Here, to study the evolution of these phenotypes, we generated cell lines and near-complete genome assemblies for eight closely related Myotis species. Using genome-wide screens of positive selection, analyses of structural variation and functional experiments in primary cells, we identify patterns of adaptation contributing to longevity, cancer resistance and viral interactions. We demonstrate distinct modes of adaptation to DNA and RNA viruses compared with all other mammals, with bats exhibiting genome-wide over-representation of positive selection for DNA-virus-interacting proteins and elevated rates of copy-number variation for RNA-virus-interacting proteins. Characterization of Myotis-specific duplications of the key immune factor EIF2AK2 (also known as PKR) reveals multiple ancient segregating trans-species copy-number polymorphisms. We show that the recurrent evolution of longevity seen in Myotis is associated with positive selection in cancer pathways, and demonstrate a unique response to DNA damage in primary cells of the long-lived Myotis lucifugus. Together, our results suggest that bats’ remarkable longevity and immunity are linked through pleiotropic adaptations to viruses and ageing-related disease.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Rights

©2026 The Authors

Version

Version of Record

Recommended Citation

Vazquez, Juan M.; Lauterbur, M. Elise; Mottaghinia, Saba; Gaucherand, Léa; Maesen, Sarah; Singer, Michael; Villa, Sarah; Bucci, Melanie; Fraser, Devaughn; Gray-Sandoval, Genavieve; Haidar, Zeinab R.; Han, Melissa; Kohler, William; Lama, Tanya; and al, et, "Insights into Longevity and Virus-Driven Adaptation from Myotis Bat Genomes" (2026). Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/bio_facpubs/349