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Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

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Microbial Evolution: Xenology (Apparently) Trumps Paralogy.

Laura Eme¹, W Ford Doolittle¹

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, PO Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada.

Current Biology : CB

|November 23, 2016

Summary

Horizontal gene transfer, a process where genes move between organisms, can create extra gene copies for higher dosage and drive the evolution of new functions, similar to traditional gene duplication. This challenges the established view of gene duplication

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Area of Science:

Genomics
Evolutionary Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Within-genome gene duplication is a primary mechanism for increasing gene dosage and evolving new functions.
The roles of gene duplication in evolution and cellular function are well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the potential dual role of horizontal gene transfer in gene duplication.
To explore if horizontal gene transfer can mimic the functions of within-genome gene duplication.

Main Methods:

Comparative genomic analysis.
Phylogenetic reconstruction.
Functional annotation of transferred genes.

Main Results:

Horizontal gene transfer events were identified that resulted in increased gene dosage.
Evidence suggests horizontal gene transfer can lead to the acquisition of novel gene functions.
Transferred genes appear to fulfill roles previously attributed solely to gene duplication.

Conclusions:

Horizontal gene transfer can functionally substitute for within-genome gene duplication.
This finding broadens the understanding of gene acquisition and evolution.
Horizontal gene transfer is a significant evolutionary force with roles beyond simple gene acquisition.