2025-09-01 中国科学院(CAS)
Web要約 の発言:
Image of the alvinellid worm, Paralvinella hessleri. A P. hessleri specimen with buccal tentacles extroverted, lateral view. Note that the animal has a bright yellow color. (Credit: Wang H, et al., 2025, PLOS Biology, CC-BY 4.0)
<関連情報>
- https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/cas_media/202509/t20250903_1052685.shtml
- https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3003291
深海熱水噴出孔のワームは砒素と硫黄を、砒黄(As₂S₃)の細胞内生体鉱化作用によって解毒する A deep-sea hydrothermal vent worm detoxifies arsenic and sulfur by intracellular biomineralization of orpiment (As2S3)
Hao Wang,Lei Cao,Huan Zhang,Zhaoshan Zhong,Li Zhou,Chao Lian,Xiaocheng Wang,Hao Chen,Minxiao Wang,Xin Zhang,Chaolun Li
PLOS Biology Published: August 26, 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3003291
Abstract
The alvinellid worm Paralvinella hessleri is the only animal that colonizes the hottest part of deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the west pacific. We found P. hessleri accumulates exceptionally high level of toxic element arsenic (>1% of wet weight) and tolerated elevated concentrations hydrogen sulphide. Using advanced microscopy, elementary analysis, and genomics and proteomics approaches, we identified a previously unrecognized arsenic-sulfide biomineralization process in P. hessleri. Our data suggest that arsenic accumulates within epithelial cell granules, where it likely reacts with sulphide diffused inward from the hydrothermal vent fluid, resulting in the intracellular formation of orpiment (As₂S₃) minerals. In this “fighting poison with poison” manner, the highly toxic arsenic and sulphide were simultaneously detoxified in the form of orpiment minerals within the intracellular granules of the single layer of epithelial cells. This process represents a remarkable adaptation to extreme chemical environments. Our study provides new insights into understanding animals’ environment adaptation mechanisms and the diversity and plasticity of biomineralization.
