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Impact of Horizontal Gene Transfer on Adaptations to Extreme Environments
Olga Zhaxybayeva1, Camilla L Nesbø2
1Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
Journal of Molecular Biology
|August 23, 2025
Summary
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) accelerates adaptation by allowing organisms to acquire beneficial genes quickly. This review explores HGT
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a significant evolutionary mechanism.
- HGT involves acquiring genetic material outside of reproduction.
- It impacts genomes across most life forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of HGT in extremophile adaptation.
- To examine HGT's impact on survival in extreme environments.
- To discuss challenges in studying extremophile HGT.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HGT in extremophiles.
- Analysis of adaptation mechanisms in extreme environments.
- Discussion of genetic determinants and HGT events.
Main Results:
- HGT facilitates rapid adaptation to diverse extreme conditions.
- Examples include thermophiles, psychrophiles, acidophiles, and halophiles.
- HGT offers a faster, less costly adaptation route than de novo mutation.
Conclusions:
- HGT is crucial for extremophile adaptation.
- Understanding HGT in extremophiles is vital for astrobiology and biotechnology.
- Future research should focus on deciphering genetic factors and HGT events.
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