Lateral gene transfer

(noun)

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), also lateral gene transfer (LGT) or transposition refers to the transfer of genetic material between organisms other than vertical gene transfer. Vertical transfer occurs when there is gene exchange from the parental generation to the offspring. LGT is then a mechanism of gene exchange that happens independently of reproduction.

Related Terms

  • microbial phylogenetics

Examples of Lateral gene transfer in the following topics:

  • Unclassified and Uncultured Bacteria

    • This uncertainty resulted from the lack of distinctive structures in most bacteria, as well as lateral gene transfer that occurred between unrelated species.
    • Because of the existence of lateral gene transfer, some closely related bacteria have very different morphologies and metabolisms.
    • To overcome these uncertainties, modern bacterial classification emphasizes molecular systematics, using genetic techniques such as guanine cytosine ratio determination, genome-genome hybridization, as well as sequencing genes that have not undergone extensive lateral gene transfer, such as the rRNA gene.
  • Phylogenetic Analysis

    • This uncertainty was due to the lack of distinctive structures in most bacteria, as well as lateral gene transfer between unrelated species.
    • As more genome sequences become available, scientists have found that determining these relationships is complicated by the prevalence of lateral gene transfer (LGT) among archaea and bacteria.
    • Due to lateral gene transfer, some closely related bacteria can have very different morphologies and metabolisms.
    • To overcome this uncertainty, modern bacterial classification emphasizes molecular systematics, using genetic techniques such as guanine cytosine ratio determination, genome-genome hybridization, as well as sequencing genes that have not undergone extensive lateral gene transfer, such as the rRNA gene.
    • This approach is expected to have an increased resolving power due to the large number of characters analyzed and a lower sensitivity to the impact of conflicting signals (i.e. phylogenetic incongruence) that result from eventual horizontal gene transfer events.
  • Phenotypic Analysis

    • This horizontal gene transfer, coupled with a high mutation rate and many other means of genetic variation, allows microorganisms to swiftly evolve (via natural selection) to survive in new environments and respond to environmental stresses.
    • These plasmids can be transferred between cells through bacterial conjugation.
    • This uncertainty was due to the lack of distinct structures in most bacteria, as well as lateral gene transfer between unrelated species.
    • Due to lateral gene transfer, some closely related bacteria can have very different morphologies and metabolisms.
    • To overcome this uncertainty, modern bacterial classification emphasizes molecular systematics, using genetic techniques such as guanine cytosine ratio determination, genome-genome hybridization, as well as sequencing genes that have not undergone extensive lateral gene transfer, such as the rRNA gene.
  • Diverse Cell Forms of Methanogens

    • Therefore, the large numbers of proteins uniquely shared by all methanogens may be due to lateral gene transfers.
    • It was the first archaeon to have its complete genome sequenced, identifying many genes and synthesis pathways unique to the archaea.
  • Gene Transfer in Archaea

    • This phenomenon is described as horizontal gene transfer.
    • Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) refers to the transfer of genes between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.
    • Also termed lateral gene transfer, it contrasts with vertical transfer, the transmission of genes from the parental generation to offspring via sexual or asexual reproduction.
    • Archaea show high levels of horizontal gene transfer between lineages.
    • Taken together it is clear that gene transfer happens in Archaea, and probably is similar to horizontal gene transfer seen in the other domains of life.
  • Archaeoglobus

    • However, the possibility that the shared presence of these signature proteins in these archaeal lineages is due to lateral gene transfer cannot be excluded.
    • The complete genome sequence from Archaeoglobus fulgidus reveals the presence of a complete set of genes for methanogenesis.
    • The function of these genes in A. fulgidus remains unknown, and the lack of the enzyme methyl-CoM reductase does not allow for methanogenesis to occur by a mechanism similar to that found in other methanogens.
    • One observation about the genome is that there are many gene duplications and the duplicated proteins are not identical.
    • The duplicated genes also gives the genome a larger genome size than its fellow archaeon M. jannaschii.
  • Pathogenicity Islands and Virulence Factors

    • Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are a distinct class of genomic islands acquired by microorganisms through horizontal gene transfer.
    • Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are a distinct class of genomic islands acquired by microorganisms through horizontal gene transfer.
    • Cryptic mobility genes may also be present, indicating the provenance as transduction.
    • PAIs are transferred through horizontal gene transfer events such as transfer by a plasmid, phage, or conjugative transposon.
    • They may be located on a bacterial chromosome or may be transferred within a plasmid.
  • Pathogenicity Islands

    • Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are a distinct class of genomic islands acquired by microorganisms through horizontal gene transfer.
    • Cryptic mobility genes may also be present, indicating the provenance as transduction.
    • They are transferred through horizontal gene transfer events such as transfer by a plasmid, phage, or conjugative transposon .
    • They may be located on a bacterial chromosome or may be transferred within a plasmid.
    • Pathogenicity islands are transferred horizontally, this details some of the ways that occurs.
  • Inactivating and Marking Target Genes with Transposons

    • Transposons allow genes to be transferred to a host organism's chromosome, interrupting or modifying the function of a gene.
    • Insertional mutagenesis is a technique used to study the function of genes.
    • In bacteria, transposons can jump from chromosomal DNA to plasmid DNA and back, allowing for the transfer and permanent addition of genes such as those encoding antibiotic resistance (multi-antibiotic resistant bacterial strains can be generated in this way).
    • As a result, when a genetic region is interrupted by integration of pBR322, the gene function is lost but new gene function (resistance to specific antibiotics) is gained.
    • Specifically, the transposon contains signals to truncate expression of an interrupted gene at the site of the insertion and then restart expression of a second truncated gene.
  • Plasmids and Lysogeny

    • Both plasmids and lysogeny are used by bacteria and viruses to ensure transfer of genes and nucleic acids for viral reproduction.
    • Horizontal gene transfer is a major mechanism promoting bacterial antibiotic resistance, as the plasmid DNA can transfer genes from one species of bacteria to another.
    • The plasmid DNA which is transferred often has developed genes that encode for resistance against antibiotics.
    • The process of horizontal gene transfer can occur via three mechanisms: transformation, transduction and conjugation.
    • There are three mechanisms by which horizontal gene transfer can occur.
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Algebra
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Writing

Except where noted, content and user contributions on this site are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 with attribution required.