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Multiple Horizontal Transfers of Immune Genes Between Distantly Related Teleost Fishes
Maxime Policarpo1, Walter Salzburger1, Florian Maumus2
1Zoological Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Molecular Biology and Evolution
|May 16, 2025
Summary
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between ray-finned fish species is more common than previously thought. This study identified 19 teleost-to-teleost HGT events, with transferred genes often related to immunity or pore formation, suggesting adaptive advantages.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a significant evolutionary mechanism, particularly in prokaryotes.
- While HGT is less frequent in eukaryotes, it can drive major adaptations.
- Eukaryotic HGT studies have primarily focused on inter-domain transfers, with limited investigation into eukaryote-to-eukaryote events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and impact of HGT within teleost fishes (ray-finned fishes).
- To identify specific genes and lineages involved in teleost-to-teleost HGT.
- To explore the functional implications of transferred genes in recipient fish species.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a large-scale genomic survey of HGT across 242 ray-finned fish species.
- Analyzed gene phylogeny, synonymous divergence, and genomic location to identify HGT events.
- Compared phylogenetic patterns with known teleost fish evolutionary trees.
Main Results:
- Identified 19 distinct teleost-to-teleost HGT events involving 17 genes across 11 teleost orders.
- Evidence for HGT included lower synonymous divergence, incongruent gene phylogeny, and non-syntenic gene locations.
- Transferred genes were frequently associated with immunity or pore-forming functions, with a notable concentration of events between Osmeriformes and Clupeiformes orders.
Conclusions:
- Teleost-to-teleost HGT has occurred multiple times and is a notable factor in fish evolution.
- Immunity and pore-forming genes may be preferentially transferred due to conferring selective advantages.
- Further research is needed to quantify HGT events and their evolutionary impact, considering potential contributions from hybridization.
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