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Why do bacteria engage in homologous recombination?
1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK. michiel.vos@nioo.knaw.nl
Trends in Microbiology
|May 26, 2009
Summary
Bacteria use homologous recombination to incorporate outside DNA, aiding evolution. This process generates genetic variation, enhancing bacterial adaptation to natural selection, similar to eukaryotic sexual reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Homologous DNA uptake and incorporation are recognized bacterial features with evolutionary significance.
- The precise selective advantages driving bacterial homologous recombination remain unclear.
- Understanding bacterial recombination is crucial for evolutionary insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-examine the costs and benefits of homologous recombination in bacterial populations.
- To explore the hypothesis that recombination enhances bacterial adaptation to natural selection.
- To draw parallels between bacterial recombination and sexual reproduction in eukaryotes.
Main Methods:
- This is an Opinion article, presenting a theoretical examination.
- It analyzes potential costs and benefits of homologous recombination.
- Focuses on the role of genetic variation generated by recombination.
Main Results:
- Homologous recombination generates genetic variation within bacterial populations.
- This variation can improve the response to natural selection.
- The process may be selectively maintained for adaptive benefits.
Conclusions:
- Homologous recombination is a key driver of bacterial evolution.
- The genetic variation it produces is crucial for bacterial adaptation.
- Bacterial recombination offers an analogue to eukaryotic sexual selection.
Related Concept Videos
02:31Homologous Recombination
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
02:31Homologous Recombination
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
02:08Gene 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...
02:08Gene 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...
02:53Conservative 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...
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
01:30Crossing Over
Crossing over is the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis I. Genetic recombination gives rise to allelic diversity in the newly formed daughter cells. In humans, crossing over produces genetically distinct haploid egg and sperm cells that undergo fertilization to produce unique offspring. Before cell division starts, the germ cell’s chromosome(s) undergo duplication in the S phase of the cell cycle. As the cells enter prophase I, duplicated...