Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026
08:48
Peptide-derived Method to Transport Genes and Proteins Across Cellular and Organellar Barriers in Plants
Published on: December 16, 2016
11.2K
Interkingdom horizontal gene transfer in plants: a perspective on methodological limitations and evolutionary
Vinicio Armijos-Jaramillo1,2, Kevin Aguirre-Carvajal1,3
1Bio-Cheminformatics Research Group, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|April 6, 2026
Summary
Interkingdom horizontal gene transfer (iHGT) may have less impact on plant genomes than previously thought. Re-evaluating evidence and methods is crucial for a balanced understanding of iHGT in plant evolution.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Plant Science
Background:
- Numerous studies suggest interkingdom horizontal gene transfer (iHGT) significantly impacts plant genomes.
- The prevalence of iHGT in eukaryotes, especially multicellular organisms, is debated.
- Many proposed plant iHGT cases lack examination of alternative evolutionary explanations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically assess evidence supporting iHGT in plants.
- To explore alternative evolutionary scenarios that mimic iHGT phylogenetic patterns.
- To identify limitations in current iHGT detection methods and suggest improvements.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on plant iHGT.
- Analysis of phylogenetic patterns.
- Discussion of methodological limitations in iHGT detection.
Main Results:
- Potential overestimation of iHGT's role in plant genome evolution.
- Identification of alternative evolutionary mechanisms that can explain observed phylogenetic signals.
- Highlighting limitations in current iHGT detection methodologies.
Conclusions:
- The contribution of iHGT to plant genome evolution may be less pervasive than currently proposed.
- A careful re-evaluation of criteria for inferring iHGT is necessary.
- Promoting a balanced perspective on the impact of iHGT on plant evolution is essential.
Related Concept Videos
02:18Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms
31.9K
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.
31.9K
02:18Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms
6.8K
6.8K
01:27Horizontal Gene Transfer
3.4K
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a process where genetic material moves between organisms within the same generation, unlike vertical gene transfer, which occurs from parent to offspring. HGT plays a crucial role in microbial evolution, adaptation, and survival, particularly in shared environments like the human gut.Mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, prophages, integrons, insertion sequences, and transposons facilitate this process. HGT occurs through three primary mechanisms:...
3.4K
02:19Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes
4.4K
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...
4.4K
01:59Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
22.3K
Crop cultivation has a long history in human civilization, with records showing the cultivation of cereal plants beginning at around 8000 BC. This early plant breeding was developed primarily to provide a steady supply of food.
22.3K
02:13Overview of Transposition and Recombination
21.2K
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...
21.2K