AI Article Synopsis
- The flow of genes between species, known as horizontal gene transfer (HGT), introduces significant genetic variation that challenges traditional views on evolution and species classification.
- The review analyzes findings from comparative genome studies, highlighting the impact of HGT on concepts like the tree of life, the last universal common ancestor, and taxonomic rules.
- It further explores case studies, including the evolution of eukaryotic cells, the bacterial pangenome, and unique observations of bdelloid rotifers and their asexual reproduction related to HGT.
Article Abstract
The flow of genes between different species represents a form of genetic variation whose implications have not been fully appreciated. Here I examine some key findings on the extent of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) revealed by comparative genome analysis and their theoretical implications. In theoretical terms, HGT affects ideas pertaining to the tree of life, the notion of a last universal common ancestor, and the biological unities, as well as the rules of taxonomic nomenclature. This review discusses the emergence of the eukaryotic cell and the occurrence of HGT among metazoan phyla involving both transposable elements and structural genes for normal housekeeping functions. I also discuss the bacterial pangenome, which provides an important case study on the permeability of species boundaries. An interesting observation about bdelloid rotifers and their reversion to asexual reproduction as it pertains to HGT is included.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-genet-110711-155529 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!