A deep-sea hydrothermal vent worm detoxifies arsenic and sulfur by intracellular biomineralization of orpiment (As2S3).

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 s

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12380324 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature