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Visual explanation of Tomcod resistance to PCBs.

Visual explanation of Tomcod resistance to PCBs.
Visual explanation of Tomcod resistance to PCBs.
Visual explanation of Tomcod resistance to PCBs.
Visual explanation of Tomcod resistance to PCBs.
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381859
Cook, John E.
Visual explanation of Tomcod resistance to PCBs.
Illustration
05/21/2012
PCBs_tomcod.jpg
Caption from Oceanus magazine, Vol. 49, no. 2, page 10:
Tomcod have a protein called AHR2. In tomcod from clean water in Shinnecock Bay, N.Y. (left), AHR2 binds to PCBs, moves into the cell nucleus, and turns on genes that cause toxic effects. Tomcod from the PCB-polluted Hudson River (right) are missing amino acids in their AHR2. The protein binds poorly to PCBs, short-circuiting the process that produces toxic effects.
Image of The Day caption:
Water pollution often devestates marine life, but can occasionally make some fish tougher. WHOI researchers recentlycompared the way tomcod in Shinnecock Bay and the Hudson River have evolved in response to toxic chemicals, and found that a key protein in those in the Hudson River (right panel) are missing two amino acids that make them less sensitive to toxins, and thus better able to survive pollution. Shinnecock Bay tomcod (left panel) have a normal version of the protein. Biology postdoctoral fellow Larissa Williams studies how fish in New Bedford Harbor have become resistant to toxins. She will discuss her work at this week's Science Made Public presentation today at 2:30 p.m.
Illustration by Jack Cook
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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