Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Horizontal Gene Transfer01:27

Horizontal Gene Transfer

2.4K
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:...
2.4K
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

31.2K
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.
31.2K
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

6.5K
6.5K
Transduction01:16

Transduction

1.9K
Among the three main modes of HGT—transformation, conjugation, and transduction—transduction is unique in that it is mediated by bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses.Transduction occurs in two ways. Generalized transduction occurs during the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection. In this process, bacteriophages infect bacterial cells, replicate within them, and ultimately cause cell lysis, releasing newly assembled virions. Occasionally, random fragments of the bacterial genome...
1.9K
Conjugation01:19

Conjugation

2.5K
Conjugation is a form of horizontal gene transfer that primarily occurs in bacteria and some archaea, promoting genetic diversity and adaptation. Bacteria can acquire resistance genes through conjugative plasmids, allowing them to survive antibiotic treatments that would otherwise be lethal. This process involves direct contact between cells through specialized structures such as the sex pilus and is mediated by conjugative plasmids, including the F (fertility) factor.Conjugation requires...
2.5K
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

9.3K
While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
9.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The transcriptional and translational outcomes for pseudogenes in bacterial endosymbionts.

Molecular biology and evolution·2026
Same author

Expression of four mitochondrial tRNAs from only two loci.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

The spatial cell biology of host control in bacteriocyte-associated symbioses.

Current opinion in insect science·2026
Same author

Genome-resolved metagenomics reveals unexpected diversity and host range of Candidatus Lariskella (Rickettsiales: Midichloriaceae).

BMC genomics·2026
Same author

Characterizing mitochondrial phenotypes and MERCS in aged human skeletal muscle myoblasts.

PloS one·2026
Same author

Recurrent horizontal gene transfers across diverse termite genomes.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2026
Same journal

Waterborne diseases and climate change.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

Climate adaptation and biodiversity shape West Nile virus risk in cities.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

Climate factors and evolution drive cholera surges in Dhaka.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

Climate change boosts Salmonella antimicrobial resistance.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

Reframing risk assessment for malaria elimination in a changing climate.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

Bacterial vesicles protect the membrane during polymyxin stress.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli
06:56

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli

Published on: March 24, 2023

7.1K

Functional horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to eukaryotes.

Filip Husnik1,2,3, John P McCutcheon2

  • 1Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia and Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (ASCR), Ceske Budejovice 370 05, Czech Republic.

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|November 28, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacteria transfer genes to eukaryotes, impacting their biology. These horizontally transferred genes provide new functions like enhanced nutrition and adaptation to extreme environments.

More Related Videos

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

17.4K
Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation
10:41

Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation

Published on: January 4, 2017

14.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli
06:56

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli

Published on: March 24, 2023

7.1K
Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

17.4K
Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation
10:41

Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation

Published on: January 4, 2017

14.5K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Genetics
  • Eukaryotic Biology
  • Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT)

Background:

  • Bacteria interact with eukaryotes as symbionts, parasites, or commensals.
  • Bacteria are significant sources of genetic material for eukaryotes via horizontal gene transfer (HGT).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review gene transfers from bacteria to eukaryotes.
  • To explore the functionalization of horizontally transferred genes.
  • To investigate the diverse functions conferred by bacterial genes to eukaryotes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on bacterial HGT to eukaryotes.
  • Classification of HGT events based on functional outcomes.
  • Analysis of gene functions related to nutrition, protection, and environmental adaptation.

Main Results:

  • Horizontally transferred genes can maintain pre-existing functions in eukaryotes.
  • Bacterial genes frequently endow eukaryotes with novel functionalities.
  • Acquired functions include altered host nutrition and adaptation to extreme environments.

Conclusions:

  • Horizontal gene transfer from bacteria is a key driver of eukaryotic innovation.
  • Bacterial genes significantly expand eukaryotic functional repertoires.
  • HGT contributes to eukaryotic adaptation and survival in diverse environments.