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Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

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.

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Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred...

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Updated: Jun 25, 2025

A Hydroponic Co-cultivation System for Simultaneous and Systematic Analysis of Plant/Microbe Molecular Interactions and Signaling

A Hydroponic Co-cultivation System for Simultaneous and Systematic Analysis of Plant/Microbe Molecular Interactions and Signaling

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Widespread horizontal gene transfer between plants and bacteria.

Shelly Haimlich¹, Yulia Fridman², Hitaishi Khandal²

¹The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Institute of Environmental Science, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.

ISME Communications

|May 29, 2024

Summary

Plants and bacteria engage in frequent gene exchange, with 75 unique genes transferred between them. This horizontal gene transfer (HGT) impacts plant metabolism and immunity, demonstrating a dynamic cross-kingdom interaction.

Keywords:

Arabidopsis thaliana evolution DET2 HGT auxin brassinosteroid horizontal gene transer microbial evolution microbiota plant-microbe interactions

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Plant Biology
Genetics

Background:

Plants host diverse bacteria, crucial for nutrient exchange and immunity.
Long-term plant-microbe associations may facilitate gene transfer.
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a rare but significant evolutionary mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate cross-kingdom HGT between Arabidopsis thaliana and its microbiome.
To identify genes transferred between plants and bacteria.
To functionally validate the impact of transferred genes on plant traits.

Main Methods:

Genomic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana and its associated microbiome.
Bioinformatic identification of horizontally transferred genes.
Functional complementation assays using bacterial gene homologs in Arabidopsis mutants.

Main Results:

Identified 75 unique genes transferred between plants and bacteria.
Detected bidirectional gene exchange, enriched in carbohydrate metabolism.
Discovered bacterial genes involved in auxin biosynthesis transferred to plants.
Demonstrated functional complementation of Arabidopsis DET2 mutant by a bacterial homolog.

Conclusions:

Cross-kingdom HGT is a significant factor shaping plant-microbe interactions.
Gene transfer influences plant metabolic capabilities and hormone biosynthesis.
Horizontally transferred genes can restore essential plant functions.