New Mutation Lets Fish Survive Toxins

Atlantic Tomcot Fish

[From Discovery News] A recent mutation allows Atlantic tomcod fish to survive poisonous levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins in the polluted Hudson River.


The mutation reduces the production of a receptor protein that binds toxin molecules to the cell. Having fewer receptors reduces the binding of toxin molecules fivefold.


However, the Atlantic tomcod still carries high levels of PCB and dioxins around and passes them on the next organism in the food chain, the striped bass.


Read full article here: Fast Mutation Lets Fish Thrive in Toxins : Discovery News