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Gene Conversion

Gene Conversion

Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...

Gene Conversion

Gene Conversion

Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...

Transduction

Transduction

Among the three main modes of HGT—transformation, conjugation, and transduction—transduction is unique in that it is mediated by bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses.Transduction occurs in two ways. Generalized transduction occurs during the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection. In this process, bacteriophages infect bacterial cells, replicate within them, and ultimately cause cell lysis, releasing newly assembled virions. Occasionally, random fragments of the bacterial genome are...

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...

Viral Recombination

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Utilizing the Antigen Capsid-Incorporation Strategy for the Development of Adenovirus Serotype 5-Vectored Vaccine Approaches

Utilizing the Antigen Capsid-Incorporation Strategy for the Development of Adenovirus Serotype 5-Vectored Vaccine Approaches

Published on: May 6, 2015

Gene conversion is a convergent strategy for pathogen antigenic variation.

Guy H Palmer¹, Kelly A Brayton

¹Programs in Vector-borne Diseases and Genomics, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA. gpalmer@vetmed.wsu.edu

Trends in Parasitology

|July 31, 2007

Summary

Gene conversion is crucial for vector-borne pathogens like Anaplasma marginale to evade immune responses through antigenic variation. Further research is needed to understand variant capacity and usage in hosts.

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Area of Science:

* Molecular biology
* Immunology
* Parasitology

Background:

* Antigenic variation is a key survival strategy for pathogens.
* Gene conversion is a known mechanism for generating diversity in pathogen surface antigens.
* Vector-borne diseases pose significant public health challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

* To highlight the central role of gene conversion in antigenic variation.
* To investigate the genetic mechanisms of variant generation and expression hierarchy.
* To identify knowledge gaps concerning pathogen variant capacity and in vivo usage.

Main Methods:

* Analysis of genome sequence data from three unrelated pathogens.
* In vivo studies tracking the emergence of antigenic variants.
* Comparative analysis across Anaplasma marginale, Borrelia hermsii, and Trypanosoma brucei.

Main Results:

* Gene conversion is a conserved mechanism for antigenic variation across diverse pathogens.
* Studies provide insights into the genetic control of variant expression.
* Gaps exist in understanding the full extent of variant potential and its utilization within a host.

Conclusions:

* Gene conversion is fundamental for immune evasion and host persistence.
* Understanding variant generation and expression is critical for disease control.
* Further research is essential to elucidate the in vivo dynamics of antigenic variation.