Natural GMOs Part 266. Functional horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to eukaryotes.

Bacteria influence eukaryotic biology as parasitic, commensal or beneficialsymbionts. Aside from these organismal interactions, bacteria have also been important sources of new genetic sequences through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) for eukaryotes. In this Review, we focus on gene transfers from bacteria to eukaryotes, discuss how horizontally transferred genes become functional and explore what functions are endowed upon a broad diversity of eukaryotes by genes derived from bacteria. We classify HGT events into two broad types: those that maintain pre-existing functions and those that provide the recipient with new functionality, including altered host nutrition, protection and adaptation to extreme environments.

Key points



Genome fragments are sometimes transferred from bacteria to eukaryotes via horizontal gene transfer (HGT).


When these DNA fragments contain genes, these genes can retain their functionality in some cases.


If these bacterial sequences are maintained for long periods of time, they can acquire eukaryotic features such as introns.


If the eukaryotic recipient retains a stable bacterial endosymbiont, these HGT events can compensate for genome reduction in the endosymbiont.


These HGT events can also enable the eukaryotic recipient to protect itself from other organisms, survive in new environments or use new food sources.


Further study of neglected eukaryotic groups will help to clarify the frequency of bacteria–eukaryote HGT.

@ Functional horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to eukaryotes. - PubMed - NCBI

Nat Rev Microbiol. 2017 Nov 27. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro.2017.137. 
Functional horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to eukaryotes.

Husnik F, McCutcheon JP.