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Horizontal gene transfer in trypanosomatids.

Fred R Opperdoes1, Paul A M Michels

  • 1Research Unit for Tropical Diseases, Christian de Duve Institute of Cellular Pathology and Laboratory of Biochemistry, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 74-75, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. fred.opperdoes@uclouvain.be

Trends in Parasitology
|September 11, 2007
PubMed
Summary
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Trypanosomes possess unique traits like kinetoplast DNA and glycosomal glycolysis. Researchers propose these evolved through extensive lateral gene transfer from diverse organisms, including viruses and bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Trypanosomes exhibit numerous unique structural and biochemical features.
  • These peculiarities include kinetoplast DNA, mitochondrial RNA editing, glycosomal glycolysis, and distinct oxidative-stress protection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary origins of the unique characteristics found in trypanosomes.
  • To propose a mechanism explaining how these novel processes and organizations evolved.

Main Methods:

  • This study is primarily a review and argumentation based on existing knowledge of trypanosome biology and evolution.
  • It synthesizes evidence from various fields to support a hypothesis.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • The study argues that trypanosome-specific evolution was facilitated by the acquisition of numerous foreign genes.
  • Lateral gene transfer from diverse donors, including viruses and bacteria (e.g., cyanobacterial endosymbionts), is proposed as the primary mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • The unique biological features of trypanosomes are likely the result of extensive horizontal gene transfer events.
  • This acquisition of foreign genetic material from multiple sources enabled the evolution of novel cellular processes and organization in an early trypanosomatid ancestor.