Mutation in Clams Protects Against Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning but Raises Human Health Risk
Contact: Laurie Connell, School of Marine Sciences, 207-581-2470
ORONO, Maine — Just like people, clams can be affected by the toxins that
cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), but scientists have now
identified a mutation in clams that gives some protection. PSP toxins
interfere with nerve function, and the mutation, which changes a single
amino acid in a sodium channel, makes nerves less sensitive to those
toxins.
The discovery is reported in the April 7
issue of the journal Nature. The authors suggest that it has wide ranging
implications for the evolution of shellfish in the presence of toxic algae
and increases the risk of PSP to people who eat clams by enabling
contaminated clams to survive in the presence of toxins.
The report, ‘Sodium channel mutation leading
to saxitoxin resistance in clams increases risk of PSP,?