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Related Experiment Videos

Unusual pattern of bacterial ice nucleation gene evolution

A R Edwards1, R A Van den Bussche, H A Wichman

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow 83843.

Molecular Biology and Evolution
|November 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Bacterial ice nucleation activity is linked to the ina gene. Its unusual distribution suggests horizontal gene transfer may have shaped its evolution in bacteria.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Bacterial ice nucleation activity (INA+ phenotype) is determined by the ina gene.
  • The ina gene's distribution is sparse across bacterial genera, suggesting an unusual evolutionary trajectory.
  • Previous studies indicated that the ina gene's presence varies even within bacterial species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary path of the bacterial ina gene.
  • To determine if the ina gene's distribution is linked to horizontal gene transfer.
  • To analyze the phylogenetic relationships of bacteria possessing the ina gene.

Main Methods:

  • Southern blot analyses were used to detect the ina gene in bacterial strains.
  • Ice-nucleating ability assays were performed on bacterial isolates.

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  • Phylogenetic analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences was conducted.
  • Sequence analysis of the ina gene and flanking regions was performed.

    • Main Results:

    • The ina gene was found to be present in some strains but absent in others within four bacterial species.
    • Phylogenetic analysis revealed that ina+ bacteria were not monophyletic, but interspersed among ina- bacteria.
    • Inferred relationships from ina gene sequences did not align with those from 16S rRNA gene sequences.

    Conclusions:

    • The genotypic dimorphism of the ina gene suggests an anomalous evolutionary pattern.
    • The findings support the hypothesis of horizontal gene transfer in the evolution of bacterial ina genes.
    • This study highlights the dynamic nature of bacterial gene evolution and adaptation.