Constant Rate of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Single-Copy Genes
Author Information
Author(s): Creevey Christopher J., Doerks Tobias, Fitzpatrick David A., Raes Jeroen, Bork Peer
Primary Institution: Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Ireland
Hypothesis
Are universally distributed single-copy genes subjected to horizontal gene transfer at a constant rate?
Conclusion
The study found that horizontal gene transfer events in single-copy genes occur at a constant rate over evolutionary time.
Supporting Evidence
- 68 horizontal gene transfer events were identified in the 40 gene families analyzed.
- The average rate of orthologous gene displacement was found to be 1.7 per gene family.
- Species with larger genomes are more likely to undergo orthologous gene displacement.
Takeaway
Scientists studied genes that are found in all life forms and discovered that these genes can swap places between different organisms at a steady rate, like a game of tag that happens regularly.
Methodology
The study used an automated method to detect horizontal gene transfer events in 40 universally single-copy genes across 191 species.
Limitations
The analysis is limited by the taxon sampling available and the deterioration of phylogenetic signal over time.
Participant Demographics
The study analyzed 191 species with completely sequenced genomes.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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