50% inhibition of RNA pol II occurs in humans exposed to 10-25 ng/ml of α-amanitin but it takes only 7 ng/ml of α-amanitin to achieve the same result in nematodes.Can you suggest a possible explanation for this observation?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observation suggests that nematodes are more sensitive to α-amanitin than humans. One possible explanation for this is that fungal hyphae and nematodes may naturally compete for soil nutrients. It is plausible that nematodes have evolved to be more sensitive to α-amanitin, which is a toxin produced by certain species of fungi, as it may give them an advantage in competing with fungi for resources. Humans, on the other hand, do not have the same evolutionary pressure to develop sensitivity to α-amanitin, as they do not typically compete with fungi or nematodes for resources in the same way.

50% Inhibition of RNA Pol II Occurs in Humans Exposed