Lateral gene transfer generates accessory genes that accumulate at different rates within a grass lineage
Summary Lateral gene transfer (LGT) is the movement of DNA between organisms without sexual reproduction. The acquired genes represent genetic novelties that have independently evolved in the donor's genome. Phylogenetic methods have shown that LGT is widespread across the entire grass family,...
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Published in | The New phytologist Vol. 240; no. 5; pp. 2072 - 2084 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Lancaster
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
01.12.2023
|
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Summary
Lateral gene transfer (LGT) is the movement of DNA between organisms without sexual reproduction. The acquired genes represent genetic novelties that have independently evolved in the donor's genome. Phylogenetic methods have shown that LGT is widespread across the entire grass family, although we know little about the underlying dynamics.
We identify laterally acquired genes in five
de novo
reference genomes from the same grass genus (four
Alloteropsis semialata
and one
Alloteropsis angusta
). Using additional resequencing data for a further 40
Alloteropsis
individuals, we place the acquisition of each gene onto a phylogeny using stochastic character mapping, and then infer rates of gains and losses.
We detect 168 laterally acquired genes in the five reference genomes (32–100 per genome). Exponential decay models indicate that the rate of LGT acquisitions (6–28 per Ma) and subsequent losses (11–24% per Ma) varied significantly among lineages. Laterally acquired genes were lost at a higher rate than vertically inherited loci (0.02–0.8% per Ma).
This high turnover creates intraspecific gene content variation, with a preponderance of them occurring as accessory genes in the
Alloteropsis
pangenome. This rapid turnover generates standing variation that can ultimately fuel local adaptation. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0028-646X 1469-8137 |
DOI: | 10.1111/nph.19272 |