PLOS BiologyHow does the alvinellid worm Paralvinella hessleri survive the toxic extremes of deep-sea #HydrothermalVents? A new study in #PLOSBiology shows that it detoxifies its environment by forming orpiment (As₂S₃) minerals inside epithelial cells; this unique #biomineralization reveals a novel adaptation to toxic environments.
https://plos.io/3HtVCZ6
https://plos.io/3HtVCZ6
A deep-sea hydrothermal vent worm detoxifies arsenic and sulfur by intracellular biomineralization of orpiment (As2S3)
The deep-sea worm Paralvinella hessleri thrives in extreme hydrothermal vents, tolerating high arsenic and hydrogen sulfide levels. This study shows that it detoxifies both by forming orpiment (As₂S₃) minerals inside epithelial cells; this unique biomineralization reveals a novel adaptation to toxic environments.