Published: March. 29, 2012 at 7:36 PM

LIVERPOOL, England, March 29 (UPI) -- British scientists say their genetic studies have helped detect proteins associated with longevity, helping explain why some animals live longer than others.

The researchers examined the genome of more than 30 mammalian species to identify proteins that evolve in connection with the longevity of a species, the University of Liverpool reported Thursday.

A particular protein -- involved in responding to DNA damage -- evolves and mutates in a non-random way in species that are longer-lived, the researchers found, suggesting it is changing for a specific purpose.

The study is the first to show evolutionary patterns in biological repair systems in long-lived animals, they said.

The findings may help develop anti-aging interventions by identifying proteins in long-lived species that better respond to DNA damage, they said.

"The genetic basis for longevity differences between species remains a major puzzle of biology," researcher Joao Pedro Magalhaes said. "A mouse lives less than five years and yet humans can live to over 100, for example.

"If we can identify the proteins that allow some species to live longer than others we could use this knowledge to improve human health and slow the aging process."

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Genetic study yields longevity clue