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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
08:57
Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
Published on: August 14, 2018
Ancient gene transfer as a tool in phylogenetic reconstruction
Jinling Huang1, Johann Peter Gogarten
1Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|March 10, 2009
Summary
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) can disrupt evolutionary trees but also serves as a powerful tool. Ancient HGT events can reveal the evolutionary history and relationships among organisms, acting as shared derived characters.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is traditionally viewed as a challenge in phylogenetic reconstruction.
- HGT involves the movement of genetic material between organisms that are not parent or offspring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of ancient horizontal gene transfer events as a tool for reconstructing organismal phylogeny.
- To explore the promise and potential challenges of using HGT in phylogenetic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on the application of HGT in phylogenetics.
- Analysis of how retained HGT events can function as shared derived characters.
- Examination of HGT's role in inferring the timing of taxon emergence.
Main Results:
- Horizontally transferred genes, when retained, can act as monophyletic markers for recipient lineages.
- Phylogenetically informative HGTs provide insights into the temporal order of taxon appearance.
- Ancient HGT events offer a valuable, albeit complex, approach to understanding evolutionary history.
Conclusions:
- Horizontal gene transfer is a significant factor in evolution that can be leveraged for phylogenetic inference.
- Understanding the dynamics of HGT is crucial for accurate reconstruction of the tree of life.
- This review highlights the potential of HGT as a phylogenetic tool while acknowledging associated complexities.
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