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Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: March 10, 2017
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Systematic evaluation of horizontal gene transfer between eukaryotes and viruses
Nicholas A T Irwin1,2,3, Alexandros A Pittis4, Thomas A Richards5
1Merton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. nicholas.irwin@merton.ox.ac.uk.
Nature Microbiology
|January 1, 2022
Summary
Viruses and eukaryotes extensively exchange genes, driving evolution. This study reveals thousands of gene transfers, impacting host manipulation and early eukaryotic diversification through viral genes like glycosyltransferases.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Gene exchange between viruses and hosts facilitates horizontal gene transfer and evolution.
- Understanding of viral-eukaryotic gene transfer is limited and largely anecdotal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically characterize viral-eukaryotic gene exchange across diverse eukaryotes and viruses.
- To determine the frequency, taxonomic distribution, and functional impact of these gene transfers.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of eukaryotic and viral genomic data.
- Identification and classification of transferred genes.
- Functional prediction of identified genes.
Main Results:
- Thousands of viral-eukaryotic gene transfers were identified.
- Eukaryote-derived viral genes in Nucleocytoviricota facilitate host manipulation (metabolic, proteolytic, extracellular).
- Viral-derived eukaryotic genes, especially glycosyltransferases, influenced early eukaryotic evolution and diversification.
Conclusions:
- Viral-eukaryotic gene exchange is a significant evolutionary force.
- This exchange impacts both viral strategies for host manipulation and the evolution of eukaryotic traits.
- The study provides a comprehensive view of the scope and impact of viral-eukaryotic genetic exchange.
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