Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
10:39
Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: March 10, 2017
Lateral gene transfer occurring in haloarchaea: an interpretative imitation study
Shaoxing Chen1, Rodham E Tulloss, Yanhong Liu
1Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China.
World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology
|July 19, 2012
Summary
Lateral gene transfer (LGT) in haloarchaea is facilitated by changes in salt concentration, mimicking natural environmental shifts. This process explains the abundance of plasmids in haloarchaeal populations, crucial for their molecular evolution.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Evolution
- Genetics
Background:
- Lateral gene transfer (LGT) is significant in haloarchaeal molecular evolution.
- The natural prevalence of plasmids in haloarchaea lacks clear explanation.
- Previous LGT studies in haloarchaea used polyethylene glycol.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate LGT induction in haloarchaea by altering salt concentrations.
- To provide a plausible explanation for the high plasmid content in haloarchaea.
Main Methods:
- Determined minimal growth salt concentrations (MGSCs) for four haloarchaeal strains (Haloferax and Halorubrum).
- Induced LGT using two double-stranded DNAs (dsDNAs), pSY1 and pWL102, at strain-specific MGSCs.
- Quantified transformation efficiency.
Main Results:
- Successful transformation of haloarchaeal strains with both dsDNAs at reduced salt concentrations.
- Transformation efficiency ranged from 10^2 to 10^3 transformants per microgram dsDNA.
- Reduced salt concentration facilitated dsDNA transfer.
Conclusions:
- Altering salt concentration can induce LGT in haloarchaea, mimicking natural environmental changes.
- This method provides a potential explanation for the high natural abundance of plasmids in haloarchaea.
- Environmental salinity fluctuations may drive LGT and plasmid acquisition in haloarchaea.
Related Concept Videos
02:18Types 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.
02:18Types 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.
01:27Horizontal Gene Transfer
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a process where genetic material moves between organisms within the same generation, unlike vertical gene transfer, which occurs from parent to offspring. HGT plays a crucial role in microbial evolution, adaptation, and survival, particularly in shared environments like the human gut.Mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, prophages, integrons, insertion sequences, and transposons facilitate this process. HGT occurs through three primary mechanisms:...
01:29Viruses of Archaea
Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...
01:24Diversity of Archaea II
Archaea, one of the three domains of life, exhibit remarkable diversity and adaptability, thriving in both extreme and moderate environments. Historically, most identified archaea have been classified into two major phyla: Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. However, recent molecular studies have expanded this classification to include three additional phyla: Thaumarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, and Korarchaeota, each exhibiting unique characteristics and ecological roles.Thaumarchaeota: Mesophiles...
01:29Diversity of Archaea IV
Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist thermal...