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PMID: 23332119 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Review

Horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of bacterial and archaeal population structure.

Trends in genetics : TIG ·Vol. 29 ·No. 3 ·2013-03-00 ·Pages 170-5

Polz MF, Alm EJ, Hanage WP

Abstract

Many bacterial and archaeal lineages have a history of extensive and ongoing horizontal gene transfer and loss, as evidenced by the large differences in genome content even among otherwise closely related isolates. How ecologically cohesive populations might evolve and be maintained under such conditions of rapid gene turnover has remained controversial. Here we synthesize recent literature demonstrating the importance of habitat and niche in structuring horizontal gene transfer. This leads to a model of ecological speciation via gradual genetic isolation triggered by differential habitat-association of nascent populations. Further, we hypothesize that subpopulations can evolve through local gene-exchange networks by tapping into a gene pool that is adaptive towards local, continuously changing organismic interactions and is, to a large degree, responsible for the observed rapid gene turnover. Overall, these insights help to explain how bacteria and archaea form populations that display both ecological cohesion and high genomic diversity.

MeSH Terms
Archaea/genetics Bacteria/genetics Ecosystem Evolution, Molecular Gene Transfer, Horizontal Genes, Bacterial Genotype Multigene Family
Authors & Affiliations
3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Polz Martin F
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. [email protected]
Alm Eric J
Hanage William P
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Article Info
Journal
Trends in genetics : TIG
Abbr.
Trends Genet
ISSN
0168-9525
DOI
10.1016/j.tig.2012.12.006
Email
[email protected]
Published
2013-03-00
Epub
2013-00-15
Pages
170-5
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
8507085
PMCID
PMC3760709
Subset
IM
Grants
NIGMS NIH HHS · U54 GM088558 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · GM088558-01 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2012.12.006 PMC Full Text View journal details
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