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A symbiont's guide to the germline.
Shelbi L Russell1, Laura Chappell1, William Sullivan1
1Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States.
Current Topics in Developmental Biology
|June 4, 2019
Summary
Microbial symbionts reliably transmit to offspring via vertical transmission. Most symbionts use soma-to-germline migration, a strategy crucial for multicellular evolution and host genome adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Microbial symbioses are widespread, necessitating reliable transmission of symbionts to host offspring each generation.
- Vertical transmission, direct parent-to-offspring symbiont inheritance, is a common strategy.
- Mechanisms vary based on symbiont association with the host germline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize distinct vertical transmission strategies in microbial symbioses.
- To highlight the prevalence of soma-to-germline migration.
- To discuss the evolutionary implications of symbiont transmission and horizontal gene transfer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of microbial symbiont transmission mechanisms.
- Categorization of transmission strategies based on germline association.
- Analysis of genomic data regarding horizontal gene transfer.
Main Results:
- Three primary vertical transmission strategies identified: somatic-to-somatic, somatic-to-germline migration, and continuous germline association.
- Soma-to-germline migration is the most common strategy among vertically transmitted symbionts.
- Horizontal gene transfer from bacteria impacts eukaryotic host evolution.
Conclusions:
- Soma-to-germline migration is a key strategy, particularly relevant for eukaryotes lacking a sequestered germline.
- Understanding symbiont transmission is vital for comprehending host-offspring association and multicellular evolution.
- Horizontal gene transfer from symbionts significantly shapes host genome evolution.