1. Institute for Marine Biosciences, National Research Council, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3Z1, Canada
2. School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, USA
3. Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
4. NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA

Correspondence to: V. Monica Bricelj¹ Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to V.M.B. (Email: monica.bricelj@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca).
The complete sequence of the Na⁺ channel pore region has been submitted to the GenBank database under accession no. AY847740.

Abstract

Bivalve molluscs, the primary vectors of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in humans, show marked inter-species variation in their capacity to accumulate PSP toxins (PSTs)¹ which has a neural basis^{2, 3}. PSTs cause human fatalities by blocking sodium conductance in nerve fibres^{4, 5}. Here we identify a molecular basis for inter-population variation in PSP resistance within a species, consistent with genetic adaptation to PSTs. Softshell clams (Mya arenaria) from areas exposed to 'red tides' are more resistant to PSTs, as demonstrated by whole-nerve assays, and accumulate toxins at greater rates than sensitive clams from unexposed areas. PSTs lead to selective mortality of sensitive clams. Resistance is caused by natural mutation of a single amino acid residue, which causes a 1,000-fold decrease in affinity at the saxitoxin-binding site in the sodium channel pore of resistant, but not sensitive, clams. Thus PSTs might act as potent natural selection agents, leading to greater toxin resistance in clam populations and increased risk of PSP in humans. Furthermore, global expansion of PSP to previously unaffected coastal areas⁶ might result in long-term changes to communities and ecosystems.

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