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Organization and evolution of the bacterial genome
1Institute of Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms, Moscow, USSR.
Microbiological Sciences
|July 1, 1988
Summary
Tandem gene duplications on bacterial chromosomes can lead to gene transfer to plasmids. This process, driven by selection for high gene expression, facilitates horizontal gene transfer in bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Bacterial genetics
- Molecular biology
- Horizontal gene transfer
Background:
- Bacterial chromosomes possess organizational features enabling tandem gene duplications.
- These duplications arise under positive selection for enhanced gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of tandem gene duplications in initiating horizontal gene transfer.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which genes are transferred from the chromosome to plasmids.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of bacterial chromosome organization.
- Modeling of gene duplication and excision events.
- Investigation of Campbell recombination in gene transfer.
Main Results:
- Tandem gene duplications facilitate the excision of genes from the bacterial chromosome.
- Exised genes are transferred to resident plasmids via Campbell recombination.
- Plasmids benefit from carrying genes that provide a selective advantage.
Conclusions:
- Tandem gene duplications serve as a mechanism to initiate horizontal gene transfer in bacteria.
- This process contributes to bacterial adaptation and evolution by spreading beneficial genes.