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Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...
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Transposons, or "jumping genes," are small mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that range from 700 to 40,000 base pairs in length. They are found in all organisms and can move within the same chromosome or transfer to different chromosomes. In some cases, transposons can also jump between different host DNA molecules, such as plasmids or viruses, contributing to genetic variability.Barbara McClintock first discovered these mobile genetic elements in the 1940s while studying maize genetics, and she...
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DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
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Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
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Can mobile genetic elements rescue genes from extinction?

Bram van Dijk1

  • 1Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany. vandijk@evolbio.mpg.de.

Current Genetics
|September 4, 2020
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Prokaryotes rapidly evolve by gaining and losing genes. "Rescuable genes," with minimal fitness effects, are prone to loss but may be maintained in microbial communities via horizontal gene transfer (HGT).

Keywords:
Bacterial fitnessEvolutionHorizontal gene transfer (HGT)Mobile genetic elements (MGEs)Selfish genetic elements (SGEs)Slightly beneficial genes

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Area of Science:

  • Microbial evolution
  • Genetics
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Prokaryotic evolution is characterized by rapid gene content changes, including gene loss and horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
  • Genes on mobile genetic elements (MGEs) can spread faster than chromosomal genes.
  • Understanding gene association with MGEs is crucial for microbial evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the concept of "rescuable genes" and their role in microbial evolution.
  • To explore the mechanisms maintaining genes with small or neutral fitness effects.
  • To investigate the potential role of HGT in preserving rescuable genes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of microbial evolution and gene transfer.
  • Conceptual framework for "rescuable genes" based on fitness effects.
  • Analysis of gene association with mobile genetic elements (MGEs).

Main Results:

  • Identified a class of "rescuable genes" with minimal fitness effects, making them susceptible to loss.
  • Proposed that HGT can counteract gene loss for these specific genes.
  • Highlighted the importance of MGEs in rapid gene dissemination.

Conclusions:

  • "Rescuable genes" represent a significant factor in microbial adaptation and evolution.
  • Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) may be essential for maintaining genetic diversity by preserving less beneficial genes.
  • The study emphasizes a shift from gradual sequence evolution to gene content dynamics in understanding prokaryotes.