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Wang B, Jin Y, Hu M, Zhao Y, Wang X, Yue J, Ren H. Detecting genetic gain and loss events in terms of protein domain: Method and implementation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32103. [PMID: 38867972 PMCID: PMC11168390 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Continuous gain and loss of genes are the primary driving forces of bacterial evolution and environmental adaptation. Studying bacterial evolution in terms of protein domain, which is the fundamental function and evolutionary unit of proteins, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of bacterial differentiation and phenotypic adaptation processes. Therefore, we proposed a phylogenetic tree-based method for detecting genetic gain and loss events in terms of protein domains. Specifically, the method focuses on a single domain to trace its evolution process or on multiple domains to investigate their co-evolution principles. This novel method was validated using 122 Shigella isolates. We found that the loss of a significant number of domains was likely the main driving force behind the evolution of Shigella, which could reduce energy expenditure and preserve only the most essential functions. Additionally, we observed that simultaneously gained and lost domains were often functionally related, which can facilitate and accelerate phenotypic evolutionary adaptation to the environment. All results obtained using our method agree with those of previous studies, which validates our proposed method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boqian Wang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Jin
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Mingda Hu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Yunxiang Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Yue
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Hongguang Ren
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
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2
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Keeling PJ. Horizontal gene transfer in eukaryotes: aligning theory with data. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:416-430. [PMID: 38263430 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00688-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), or lateral gene transfer, is the non-sexual movement of genetic information between genomes. It has played a pronounced part in bacterial and archaeal evolution, but its role in eukaryotes is less clear. Behaviours unique to eukaryotic cells - phagocytosis and endosymbiosis - have been proposed to increase the frequency of HGT, but nuclear genomes encode fewer HGTs than bacteria and archaea. Here, I review the existing theory in the context of the growing body of data on HGT in eukaryotes, which suggests that any increased chance of acquiring new genes through phagocytosis and endosymbiosis is offset by a reduced need for these genes in eukaryotes, because selection in most eukaryotes operates on variation not readily generated by HGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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3
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Eme L, Tamarit D. Microbial Diversity and Open Questions about the Deep Tree of Life. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae053. [PMID: 38620144 PMCID: PMC11018274 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In this perspective, we explore the transformative impact and inherent limitations of metagenomics and single-cell genomics on our understanding of microbial diversity and their integration into the Tree of Life. We delve into the key challenges associated with incorporating new microbial lineages into the Tree of Life through advanced phylogenomic approaches. Additionally, we shed light on enduring debates surrounding various aspects of the microbial Tree of Life, focusing on recent advances in some of its deepest nodes, such as the roots of bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. We also bring forth current limitations in genome recovery and phylogenomic methodology, as well as new avenues of research to uncover additional key microbial lineages and resolve the shape of the Tree of Life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Eme
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif sur-Yvette, France
| | - Daniel Tamarit
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584CH, The Netherlands
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4
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Duwor S, Brites D, Mäser P. Phylogenetic Analysis of Pyruvate-Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase, a Redox Enzyme Involved in the Pharmacological Activation of Nitro-Based Prodrugs in Bacteria and Protozoa. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:178. [PMID: 38534448 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The present frontrunners in the chemotherapy of infections caused by protozoa are nitro-based prodrugs that are selectively activated by PFOR-mediated redox reactions. This study seeks to analyze the distribution of PFOR in selected protozoa and bacteria by applying comparative genomics to test the hypothesis that PFOR in eukaryotes was acquired through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria. Furthermore, to identify other putatively acquired genes, proteome-wide and gene enrichment analyses were used. A plausible explanation for the patchy occurrence of PFOR in protozoa is based on the hypothesis that bacteria are potential sources of genes that enhance the adaptation of protozoa in hostile environments. Comparative genomics of Entamoeba histolytica and the putative gene donor, Desulfovibrio vulgaris, identified eleven candidate genes for HGT involved in intermediary metabolism. If these results can be reproduced in other PFOR-possessing protozoa, it would provide more validated evidence to support the horizontal transfer of pfor from bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Duwor
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Brites
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
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5
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Baum B, Spang A. On the origin of the nucleus: a hypothesis. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0018621. [PMID: 38018971 PMCID: PMC10732040 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00186-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYIn this hypothesis article, we explore the origin of the eukaryotic nucleus. In doing so, we first look afresh at the nature of this defining feature of the eukaryotic cell and its core functions-emphasizing the utility of seeing the eukaryotic nucleoplasm and cytoplasm as distinct regions of a common compartment. We then discuss recent progress in understanding the evolution of the eukaryotic cell from archaeal and bacterial ancestors, focusing on phylogenetic and experimental data which have revealed that many eukaryotic machines with nuclear activities have archaeal counterparts. In addition, we review the literature describing the cell biology of representatives of the TACK and Asgardarchaeaota - the closest known living archaeal relatives of eukaryotes. Finally, bringing these strands together, we propose a model for the archaeal origin of the nucleus that explains much of the current data, including predictions that can be used to put the model to the test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buzz Baum
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anja Spang
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, the Netherlands
- Department of Evolutionary & Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, the Netherlands
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6
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Nicolas E, Simion P, Guérineau M, Terwagne M, Colinet M, Virgo J, Lingurski M, Boutsen A, Dieu M, Hallet B, Van Doninck K. Horizontal acquisition of a DNA ligase improves DNA damage tolerance in eukaryotes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7638. [PMID: 37993452 PMCID: PMC10665377 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43075-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bdelloid rotifers are part of the restricted circle of multicellular animals that can withstand a wide range of genotoxic stresses at any stage of their life cycle. In this study, bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga is used as a model to decipher the molecular basis of their extreme tolerance. Proteomic analysis shows that a specific DNA ligase, different from those usually involved in DNA repair in eukaryotes, is strongly over-represented upon ionizing radiation. A phylogenetic analysis reveals its orthology to prokaryotic DNA ligase E, and its horizontal acquisition by bdelloid rotifers and plausibly other eukaryotes. The fungus Mortierella verticillata, having a single copy of this DNA Ligase E homolog, also exhibits an increased radiation tolerance with an over-expression of this DNA ligase E following X-ray exposure. We also provide evidence that A. vaga ligase E is a major contributor of DNA breaks ligation activity, which is a common step of all important DNA repair pathways. Consistently, its heterologous expression in human cell lines significantly improves their radio-tolerance. Overall, this study highlights the potential of horizontal gene transfers in eukaryotes, and their contribution to the adaptation to extreme conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilien Nicolas
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Molecular Biology and Evolution, Brussels, 1050, Belgium.
| | - Paul Simion
- Université de Namur, Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology, Namur, 5000, Belgium
- Université de Rennes, Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution (ECOBIO UMR 6553), CNRS, Rennes, France
| | - Marc Guérineau
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Molecular Biology and Evolution, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Matthieu Terwagne
- Université de Namur, Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology, Namur, 5000, Belgium
| | - Mathilde Colinet
- Université de Namur, Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology, Namur, 5000, Belgium
| | - Julie Virgo
- Université de Namur, Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology, Namur, 5000, Belgium
| | - Maxime Lingurski
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Molecular Biology and Evolution, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Anaïs Boutsen
- Université de Namur, Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology, Namur, 5000, Belgium
| | - Marc Dieu
- Université de Namur, MaSUN-mass spectrometry facility, Namur, 5000, Belgium
| | - Bernard Hallet
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348, Belgium.
| | - Karine Van Doninck
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Molecular Biology and Evolution, Brussels, 1050, Belgium.
- Université de Namur, Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology, Namur, 5000, Belgium.
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7
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Mi-ichi F, Tsugawa H, Yoshida H, Arita M. Unique features of Entamoeba histolytica glycerophospholipid metabolism; has the E. histolytica lipid metabolism network evolved through gene loss and gain to enable parasitic life cycle adaptation? mSphere 2023; 8:e0017423. [PMID: 37584599 PMCID: PMC10597341 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00174-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, causes amoebiasis, which is a global public health problem. During the life cycle of this parasite, the properties of the cell membrane are changed markedly. To clarify the mechanism of membrane lipid changes, we exploited state-of-the-art untargeted lipidomic analysis, and atypical features of glycerophospholipids, lysoglycerophospholipids, and sphingolipids were observed compared with human equivalents. Here, we overview an entire E. histolytica glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway based on re-evaluated whole lipidome and genome along with the results of metabolic labeling experiments. We also discuss whether the E. histolytica lipid metabolism network, including the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, has unique features necessary for parasitic life cycle adaptation through gene loss and/or gain, and raise important questions involving biochemistry, molecular cell biology, and physiology underlying this network. Answering these questions will advance the understanding of Entamoeba physiology and will provide potential targets to develop new anti-amoebiasis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumika Mi-ichi
- Central Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tsugawa
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory for Metabolomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yoshida
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Makoto Arita
- Laboratory for Metabolomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Division of Physiological Chemistry and Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Human Biology-Microbiome-Quantum Research Center (WPI-Bio2Q), Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
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8
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Aubin E, Llauro C, Garrigue J, Mirouze M, Panaud O, El Baidouri M. Genome-wide analysis of horizontal transfer in non-model wild species from a natural ecosystem reveals new insights into genetic exchange in plants. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010964. [PMID: 37856455 PMCID: PMC10586619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal transfer (HT) refers to the exchange of genetic material between divergent species by mechanisms other than reproduction. In recent years, several studies have demonstrated HTs in eukaryotes, particularly in the context of parasitic relationships and in model species. However, very little is known about HT in natural ecosystems, especially those involving non-parasitic wild species, and the nature of the ecological relationships that promote these HTs. In this work, we conducted a pilot study investigating HTs by sequencing the genomes of 17 wild non-model species from a natural ecosystem, the Massane forest, located in southern France. To this end, we developed a new computational pipeline called INTERCHANGE that is able to characterize HTs at the whole genome level without prior annotation and directly in the raw sequencing reads. Using this pipeline, we identified 12 HT events, half of which occurred between lianas and trees. We found that mainly low copy number LTR-retrotransposons from the Copia superfamily were transferred between these wild plant species, especially those of the Ivana and Ale lineages. This study revealed a possible new route for HTs between non-parasitic plants and provides new insights into the genomic characteristics of horizontally transferred DNA in plant genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Aubin
- Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes, Perpignan, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Christel Llauro
- Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes, Perpignan, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
- Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Perpignan, France
| | - Joseph Garrigue
- Réserve Naturelle Nationale de la forêt de la Massane, France
| | - Marie Mirouze
- Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes, Perpignan, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
- Diversité, Adaptation, Développement des Plantes, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Panaud
- Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes, Perpignan, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Moaine El Baidouri
- Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes, Perpignan, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
- Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Perpignan, France
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9
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Abondio P, Cilli E, Luiselli D. Human Pangenomics: Promises and Challenges of a Distributed Genomic Reference. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1360. [PMID: 37374141 DOI: 10.3390/life13061360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A pangenome is a collection of the common and unique genomes that are present in a given species. It combines the genetic information of all the genomes sampled, resulting in a large and diverse range of genetic material. Pangenomic analysis offers several advantages compared to traditional genomic research. For example, a pangenome is not bound by the physical constraints of a single genome, so it can capture more genetic variability. Thanks to the introduction of the concept of pangenome, it is possible to use exceedingly detailed sequence data to study the evolutionary history of two different species, or how populations within a species differ genetically. In the wake of the Human Pangenome Project, this review aims at discussing the advantages of the pangenome around human genetic variation, which are then framed around how pangenomic data can inform population genetics, phylogenetics, and public health policy by providing insights into the genetic basis of diseases or determining personalized treatments, targeting the specific genetic profile of an individual. Moreover, technical limitations, ethical concerns, and legal considerations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Abondio
- Laboratory of Ancient DNA, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cilli
- Laboratory of Ancient DNA, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy
| | - Donata Luiselli
- Laboratory of Ancient DNA, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy
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10
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Wisecaver JH, Auber RP, Pendleton AL, Watervoort NF, Fallon TR, Riedling OL, Manning SR, Moore BS, Driscoll WW. Extreme genome diversity and cryptic speciation in a harmful algal-bloom-forming eukaryote. Curr Biol 2023; 33:2246-2259.e8. [PMID: 37224809 PMCID: PMC10247466 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms of the toxic haptophyte Prymnesium parvum are a recurrent problem in many inland and estuarine waters around the world. Strains of P. parvum vary in the toxins they produce and in other physiological traits associated with harmful algal blooms, but the genetic basis for this variation is unknown. To investigate genome diversity in this morphospecies, we generated genome assemblies for 15 phylogenetically and geographically diverse strains of P. parvum, including Hi-C guided, near-chromosome-level assemblies for two strains. Comparative analysis revealed considerable DNA content variation between strains, ranging from 115 to 845 Mbp. Strains included haploids, diploids, and polyploids, but not all differences in DNA content were due to variation in genome copy number. Haploid genome size between strains of different chemotypes differed by as much as 243 Mbp. Syntenic and phylogenetic analyses indicate that UTEX 2797, a common laboratory strain from Texas, is a hybrid that retains two phylogenetically distinct haplotypes. Investigation of gene families variably present across the strains identified several functional categories associated with metabolic and genome size variation in P. parvum, including genes for the biosynthesis of toxic metabolites and proliferation of transposable elements. Together, our results indicate that P. parvum comprises multiple cryptic species. These genomes provide a robust phylogenetic and genomic framework for investigations into the eco-physiological consequences of the intra- and inter-specific genetic variation present in P. parvum and demonstrate the need for similar resources for other harmful algal-bloom-forming morphospecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H Wisecaver
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Robert P Auber
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Amanda L Pendleton
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Nathan F Watervoort
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Timothy R Fallon
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr #0204, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Olivia L Riedling
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, 175 S University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Schonna R Manning
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, MSB 250B, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Bradley S Moore
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr #0204, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr #0204, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - William W Driscoll
- Department of Biology, Penn State Harrisburg, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057, USA
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11
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Gilbert C, Maumus F. Sidestepping Darwin: horizontal gene transfer from plants to insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 57:101035. [PMID: 37061183 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Horizontal transfer of genetic material (HT) is the passage of DNA between organisms by means other than reproduction. Increasing numbers of HT are reported in insects, with bacteria, fungi, plants, and insects acting as the main sources of these transfers. Here, we provide a detailed account of plant-to-insect HT events. At least 14 insect species belonging to 6 orders are known to have received plant genetic material through HT. One of them, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Middle East Asia Minor 1), concentrates most of these transfers, with no less than 28 HT events yielding 55 plant-derived genes in this species. Several plant-to-insect HT events reported so far involve gene families known to play a role in plant-parasite interactions. We highlight methodological approaches that may further help characterize these transfers. We argue that plant-to-insect HT is likely more frequent than currently appreciated and that in-depth studies of these transfers will shed new light on plant-insect interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Gilbert
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Evolution, Génomes, Comportement et Ecologie, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Florian Maumus
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, URGI, Versailles, France
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12
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Dereeper A, Allouch N, Guerlais V, Garnier M, Ma L, De Jonckheere JF, Joseph SJ, Ali IKM, Talarmin A, Marcelino I. Naegleria genus pangenome reveals new structural and functional insights into the versatility of these free-living amoebae. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1056418. [PMID: 36817109 PMCID: PMC9928731 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1056418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Free-living amoebae of the Naegleria genus belong to the major protist clade Heterolobosea and are ubiquitously distributed in soil and freshwater habitats. Of the 47 Naegleria species described, N. fowleri is the only one being pathogenic to humans, causing a rare but fulminant primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Some Naegleria genome sequences are publicly available, but the genetic basis for Naegleria diversity and ability to thrive in diverse environments (including human brain) remains unclear. Methods Herein, we constructed a high-quality Naegleria genus pangenome to obtain a comprehensive catalog of genes encoded by these amoebae. For this, we first sequenced, assembled, and annotated six new Naegleria genomes. Results and Discussion Genome architecture analyses revealed that Naegleria may use genome plasticity features such as ploidy/aneuploidy to modulate their behavior in different environments. When comparing 14 near-to-complete genome sequences, our results estimated the theoretical Naegleria pangenome as a closed genome, with 13,943 genes, including 3,563 core and 10,380 accessory genes. The functional annotations revealed that a large fraction of Naegleria genes show significant sequence similarity with those already described in other kingdoms, namely Animalia and Plantae. Comparative analyses highlighted a remarkable genomic heterogeneity, even for closely related strains and demonstrate that Naegleria harbors extensive genome variability, reflected in different metabolic repertoires. If Naegleria core genome was enriched in conserved genes essential for metabolic, regulatory and survival processes, the accessory genome revealed the presence of genes involved in stress response, macromolecule modifications, cell signaling and immune response. Commonly reported N. fowleri virulence-associated genes were present in both core and accessory genomes, suggesting that N. fowleri's ability to infect human brain could be related to its unique species-specific genes (mostly of unknown function) and/or to differential gene expression. The construction of Naegleria first pangenome allowed us to move away from a single reference genome (that does not necessarily represent each species as a whole) and to identify essential and dispensable genes in Naegleria evolution, diversity and biology, paving the way for further genomic and post-genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Dereeper
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Nina Allouch
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Vincent Guerlais
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Maëlle Garnier
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Laurence Ma
- Institut Pasteur de Paris, Biomics, Paris, France
| | | | - Sandeep J. Joseph
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ibne Karim M. Ali
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Antoine Talarmin
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Isabel Marcelino
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France,*Correspondence: Isabel Marcelino,
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13
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Shimpi GG, Bentlage B. Ancient endosymbiont-mediated transmission of a selfish gene provides a model for overcoming barriers to gene transfer into animal mitochondrial genomes. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200190. [PMID: 36412071 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to bilaterian animals, non-bilaterian mitochondrial genomes contain atypical genes, often attributed to horizontal gene transfer (HGT) as an ad hoc explanation. Although prevalent in plants, HGT into animal mitochondrial genomes is rare, lacking suitable explanatory models for their occurrence. HGT of the mismatch DNA repair gene (mtMutS) from giant viruses to octocoral (soft corals and their kin) mitochondrial genomes provides a model for how barriers to HGT to animal mitochondria may be overcome. A review of the available literature suggests that this HGT was mediated by an alveolate endosymbiont infected with a lysogenic phycodnavirus that enabled insertion of the homing endonuclease containing mtMutS into octocoral mitochondrial genomes. We posit that homing endonuclease domains and similar selfish elements play a crucial role in such inter-domain gene transfers. Understanding the role of selfish genetic elements in HGT has the potential to aid development of tools for manipulating animal mitochondrial DNA.
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14
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Wang B, Pandey T, Long Y, Delgado-Rodriguez SE, Daugherty MD, Ma DK. Co-opted genes of algal origin protect C. elegans against cyanogenic toxins. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4941-4948.e3. [PMID: 36223775 PMCID: PMC9691542 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside enriched in the tissues of many edible plants, including seeds of stone fruits such as cherry (Prunus avium), peach (Prunus persica), and apple (Malus domestica). These plants biosynthesize amygdalin in defense against herbivore animals, as amygdalin generates poisonous cyanide upon plant tissue destruction.1,2,3,4 Poisonous to many animals, amygdalin-derived cyanide is detoxified by potent enzymes commonly found in bacteria and plants but not most animals.5 Here we show that the nematode C. elegans can detoxify amygdalin by a genetic pathway comprising cysl-1, egl-9, hif-1, and cysl-2. A screen of a natural product library for hypoxia-independent regulators of HIF-1 identifies amygdalin as a potent activator of cysl-2, a HIF-1 transcriptional target that encodes a cyanide detoxification enzyme in C. elegans. As a cysl-2 paralog similarly essential for amygdalin resistance, cysl-1 encodes a protein homologous to cysteine biosynthetic enzymes in bacteria and plants but functionally co-opted in C. elegans. We identify exclusively HIF-activating egl-9 mutations in a cysl-1 suppressor screen and show that cysl-1 confers amygdalin resistance by regulating HIF-1-dependent cysl-2 transcription to protect against amygdalin toxicity. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that cysl-1 and cysl-2 were likely acquired from green algae through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and functionally co-opted in protection against amygdalin. Since acquisition, these two genes evolved division of labor in a cellular circuit to detect and detoxify cyanide. Thus, algae-to-nematode HGT and subsequent gene function co-option events may facilitate host survival and adaptation to adverse environmental stresses and biogenic toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingying Wang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Taruna Pandey
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yong Long
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Matthew D Daugherty
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Dengke K Ma
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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15
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Moniruzzaman M, Erazo-Garcia MP, Aylward FO. Endogenous giant viruses contribute to intraspecies genomic variability in the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Virus Evol 2022; 8:veac102. [PMID: 36447475 PMCID: PMC9693826 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular eukaryotic alga that has been studied as a model organism for decades. Despite an extensive history as a model system, phylogenetic and genetic characteristics of viruses infecting this alga have remained elusive. We analyzed high-throughput genome sequence data of C. reinhardtii field isolates, and in six we discovered sequences belonging to endogenous giant viruses that reach up to several 100 kb in length. In addition, we have also discovered the entire genome of a closely related giant virus that is endogenized within the genome of Chlamydomonas incerta, the closest sequenced relative of C. reinhardtii. Endogenous giant viruses add hundreds of new gene families to the host strains, highlighting their contribution to the pangenome dynamics and interstrain genomic variability of C. reinhardtii. Our findings suggest that the endogenization of giant viruses may have important implications for structuring the population dynamics and ecology of protists in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Moniruzzaman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 926 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Maria P Erazo-Garcia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 926 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Frank O Aylward
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 926 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, 981 Kraft Dr, Room 2036, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
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16
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Naranjo-Ortiz MA, Molina M, Fuentes D, Mixão V, Gabaldón T. Karyon: a computational framework for the diagnosis of hybrids, aneuploids, and other nonstandard architectures in genome assemblies. Gigascience 2022; 11:6751106. [PMID: 36205401 PMCID: PMC9540331 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent technological developments have made genome sequencing and assembly highly accessible and widely used. However, the presence in sequenced organisms of certain genomic features such as high heterozygosity, polyploidy, aneuploidy, heterokaryosis, or extreme compositional biases can challenge current standard assembly procedures and result in highly fragmented assemblies. Hence, we hypothesized that genome databases must contain a nonnegligible fraction of low-quality assemblies that result from such type of intrinsic genomic factors. FINDINGS Here we present Karyon, a Python-based toolkit that uses raw sequencing data and de novo genome assembly to assess several parameters and generate informative plots to assist in the identification of nonchanonical genomic traits. Karyon includes automated de novo genome assembly and variant calling pipelines. We tested Karyon by diagnosing 35 highly fragmented publicly available assemblies from 19 different Mucorales (Fungi) species. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that 10 (28.57%) of the assemblies presented signs of unusual genomic configurations, suggesting that these are common, at least for some lineages within the Fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Naranjo-Ortiz
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain,Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610, USA,Naturhistoriskmuseum, University of Oslo, Oslo 0562, Norway
| | - Manu Molina
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain,Life Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Diego Fuentes
- Life Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Barcelona 08034, Spain,Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Verónica Mixão
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain,Life Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Barcelona 08034, Spain,Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Correspondence address. Toni Gabaldón, Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, Barcelona 08034, Spain. E-mail:
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17
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Jamy M, Biwer C, Vaulot D, Obiol A, Jing H, Peura S, Massana R, Burki F. Global patterns and rates of habitat transitions across the eukaryotic tree of life. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1458-1470. [PMID: 35927316 PMCID: PMC9525238 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01838-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The successful colonization of new habitats has played a fundamental role during the evolution of life. Salinity is one of the strongest barriers for organisms to cross, which has resulted in the evolution of distinct marine and non-marine (including both freshwater and soil) communities. Although microbes represent by far the vast majority of eukaryote diversity, the role of the salt barrier in shaping the diversity across the eukaryotic tree is poorly known. Traditional views suggest rare and ancient marine/non-marine transitions but this view is being challenged by the discovery of several recently transitioned lineages. Here, we investigate habitat evolution across the tree of eukaryotes using a unique set of taxon-rich phylogenies inferred from a combination of long-read and short-read environmental metabarcoding data spanning the ribosomal DNA operon. Our results show that, overall, marine and non-marine microbial communities are phylogenetically distinct but transitions have occurred in both directions in almost all major eukaryotic lineages, with hundreds of transition events detected. Some groups have experienced relatively high rates of transitions, most notably fungi for which crossing the salt barrier has probably been an important aspect of their successful diversification. At the deepest phylogenetic levels, ancestral habitat reconstruction analyses suggest that eukaryotes may have first evolved in non-marine habitats and that the two largest known eukaryotic assemblages (TSAR and Amorphea) arose in different habitats. Overall, our findings indicate that the salt barrier has played an important role during eukaryote evolution and provide a global perspective on habitat transitions in this domain of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahwash Jamy
- Department of Organismal Biology (Systematic Biology), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charlie Biwer
- Department of Organismal Biology (Systematic Biology), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Daniel Vaulot
- CNRS, UMR7144, Team ECOMAP, Station Biologique, Sorbonne Université, Roscoff, France
| | - Aleix Obiol
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hongmei Jing
- CAS Key Lab for Experimental Study Under Deep-sea Extreme Conditions, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, China
| | - Sari Peura
- Department of Ecology and Genetics (Limnology), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ramon Massana
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabien Burki
- Department of Organismal Biology (Systematic Biology), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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18
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Liu C, Kenney T, Beiko RG, Gu H. The Community Coevolution Model with Application to the Study of Evolutionary Relationships between Genes based on Phylogenetic Profiles. Syst Biol 2022:6651862. [PMID: 35904761 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syac052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Organismal traits can evolve in a coordinated way, with correlated patterns of gains and losses reflecting important evolutionary associations. Discovering these associations can reveal important information about the functional and ecological linkages among traits. Phylogenetic profiles treat individual genes as traits distributed across sets of genomes and can provide a fine-grained view of the genetic underpinnings of evolutionary processes in a set of genomes. Phylogenetic profiling has been used to identify genes that are functionally linked, and to identify common patterns of lateral gene transfer in microorganisms. However, comparative analysis of phylogenetic profiles and other trait distributions should take into account the phylogenetic relationships among the organisms under consideration. Here we propose the Community Coevolution Model (CCM), a new coevolutionary model to analyze the evolutionary associations among traits, with a focus on phylogenetic profiles. In the CCM, traits are considered to evolve as a community with interactions, and the transition rate for each trait depends on the current states of other traits. Surpassing other comparative methods for pairwise trait analysis, CCM has the additional advantage of being able to examine multiple traits as a community to reveal more dependency relationships. We also develop a simulation procedure to generate phylogenetic profiles with correlated evolutionary patterns that can be used as benchmark data for evaluation purposes. A simulation study demonstrates that CCM is more accurate than other methods including the Jaccard Index and three tree-aware methods. The parameterization of CCM makes the interpretation of the relations between genes more direct, which leads to Darwin's scenario being identified easily based on the estimated parameters. We show that CCM is more efficient and fits real data better than other methods resulting in higher likelihood scores with fewer parameters. An examination of 3786 phylogenetic profiles across a set of 659 bacterial genomes highlights linkages between genes with common functions, including many patterns that would not have been identified under a non-phylogenetic model of common distribution. We also applied the CCM to 44 proteins in the well-studied Mitochondrial Respiratory Complex I and recovered associations that mapped well onto the structural associations that exist in the complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyue Liu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada.,Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Toby Kenney
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Robert G Beiko
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Hong Gu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
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19
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Cote-L’Heureux A, Maurer-Alcalá XX, Katz LA. Old genes in new places: A taxon-rich analysis of interdomain lateral gene transfer events. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010239. [PMID: 35731825 PMCID: PMC9255765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertical inheritance is foundational to Darwinian evolution, but fails to explain major innovations such as the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria and the origin of photosynthesis in eukaryotes. While lateral gene transfer (LGT) is recognized as an evolutionary force in prokaryotes, the role of LGT in eukaryotic evolution is less clear. With the exception of the transfer of genes from organelles to the nucleus, a process termed endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT), the extent of interdomain transfer from prokaryotes to eukaryotes is highly debated. A common critique of studies of interdomain LGT is the reliance on the topology of single-gene trees that attempt to estimate more than one billion years of evolution. We take a more conservative approach by identifying cases in which a single clade of eukaryotes is found in an otherwise prokaryotic gene tree (i.e. exclusive presence). Starting with a taxon-rich dataset of over 13,600 gene families and passing data through several rounds of curation, we identify and categorize the function of 306 interdomain LGT events into diverse eukaryotes, including 189 putative EGTs, 52 LGTs into Opisthokonta (i.e. animals, fungi and their microbial relatives), and 42 LGTs nearly exclusive to anaerobic eukaryotes. To assess differential gene loss as an explanation for exclusive presence, we compare branch lengths within each LGT tree to a set of vertically-inherited genes subsampled to mimic gene loss (i.e. with the same taxonomic sampling) and consistently find shorter relative distance between eukaryotes and prokaryotes in LGT trees, a pattern inconsistent with gene loss. Our methods provide a framework for future studies of interdomain LGT and move the field closer to an understanding of how best to model the evolutionary history of eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auden Cote-L’Heureux
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Laura A. Katz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Organismic Biology and Evolution, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
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20
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Yang P, Hao S, Han M, Xu J, Yu S, Chen C, Zhang H, Ning K. Analysis of antibiotic resistance genes reveals their important roles in influencing the community structure of ocean microbiome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 823:153731. [PMID: 35143795 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) content is a well-established driver of microbial abundance and diversity in an environment. By reanalyzing 132 metagenomic datasets from the Tara Oceans project, we aim to unveil the associations between environmental factors, the ocean microbial community structure and ARG contents. We first investigated the structural patterns of microbial communities including both prokaryotes such as bacteria and eukaryotes such as protists. Additionally, several ARG-dominant horizontal gene transfer events between Protist and Prokaryote have been identified, indicating the potential roles of ARG in shaping the ocean microbial communities. For a deeper insight into the role of ARGs in ocean microbial communities on a global scale, we identified 1926 unique types of ARGs and discovered that the ARGs are more abundant and diverse in the mesopelagic zone than other water layers, potentially caused by limited resources. Finally, we found that ARG-enriched genera were often more abundant compared to their ARG-less neighbors in the same environment (e.g. coastal oceans). A deeper understanding of the ARG-microbiome relationships could help in the conservation of the oceanic ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengshuo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Shiguang Hao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Maozhen Han
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Shaojun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Chaoyun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Houjin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China.
| | - Kang Ning
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China.
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21
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Irisarri I, de Vries J. Punctuated ancestral gene gains in streptophyte evolution. MOLECULAR PLANT 2022; 15:799-801. [PMID: 35342001 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Iker Irisarri
- University of Goettingen, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Goldschmidtstr. 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS), Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Jan de Vries
- University of Goettingen, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Goldschmidtstr. 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS), Göttingen, Germany; University of Goettingen, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Goldschmidtstr. 1, 37077 Goettingen, Germany.
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22
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Spang A, Mahendrarajah TA, Offre P, Stairs CW. Evolving perspective on the origin and diversification of cellular life and the virosphere. Genome Biol Evol 2022; 14:6537539. [PMID: 35218347 PMCID: PMC9169541 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The tree of life (TOL) is a powerful framework to depict the evolutionary history of cellular organisms through time, from our microbial origins to the diversification of multicellular eukaryotes that shape the visible biosphere today. During the past decades, our perception of the TOL has fundamentally changed, in part, due to profound methodological advances, which allowed a more objective approach to studying organismal and viral diversity and led to the discovery of major new branches in the TOL as well as viral lineages. Phylogenetic and comparative genomics analyses of these data have, among others, revolutionized our understanding of the deep roots and diversity of microbial life, the origin of the eukaryotic cell, eukaryotic diversity, as well as the origin, and diversification of viruses. In this review, we provide an overview of some of the recent discoveries on the evolutionary history of cellular organisms and their viruses and discuss a variety of complementary techniques that we consider crucial for making further progress in our understanding of the TOL and its interconnection with the virosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Spang
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, The Netherlands and 1790 AB Den Burg.,Department of Cell- and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden SE-75123, Uppsala
| | - Tara A Mahendrarajah
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, The Netherlands and 1790 AB Den Burg
| | - Pierre Offre
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, The Netherlands and 1790 AB Den Burg
| | - Courtney W Stairs
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden Sölvegatan 35, 223 62 Lund
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23
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Timmons CM, Shazib SUA, Katz LA. Epigenetic influences of mobile genetic elements on ciliate genome architecture and evolution. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12891. [PMID: 35100457 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are transient genetic material that can move either within a single organism's genome or between individuals or species. While historically considered 'junk' DNA (i.e. deleterious or at best neutral), more recent studies reveal the adaptive advantages MGEs provide in lineages across the tree of life. Ciliates, a group of single-celled microbial eukaryotes characterized by nuclear dimorphism, exemplify how epigenetic influences from MGEs shape genome architecture and patterns of molecular evolution. Ciliate nuclear dimorphism may have evolved as a response to transposon invasion and ciliates have since co-opted transposons to carry out programmed DNA deletion. Another example of the effect of MGEs is in providing mechanisms for lateral gene transfer from bacteria, which introduces genetic diversity and, in several cases, drives ecological specialization in ciliates. As a third example, the integration of viral DNA, likely through transduction, provides new genetic material and can change the way host cells defend themselves against other viral pathogens. We argue that the acquisition of MGEs through non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance, coupled with their effects on ciliate genome architecture and expression and persistence throughout evolutionary history, exemplify how the transmission of mobile elements should be considered a mechanism of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Timmons
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, 01063, USA
| | - Shahed U A Shazib
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, 01063, USA
| | - Laura A Katz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, 01063, USA
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24
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Park M, Christin PA, Bennetzen JL. Sample Sequence Analysis Uncovers Recurrent Horizontal Transfers of Transposable Elements among Grasses. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:3664-3675. [PMID: 33964159 PMCID: PMC8382918 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited genome resources are a bottleneck in the study of horizontal transfer (HT) of DNA in plants. To solve this issue, we tested the usefulness of low-depth sequencing data generated from 19 previously uncharacterized panicoid grasses for HT investigation. We initially searched for horizontally transferred LTR-retrotransposons by comparing the 19 sample sequences to 115 angiosperm genome sequences. Frequent HTs of LTR-retrotransposons were identified solely between panicoids and rice (Oryza sativa). We consequently focused on additional Oryza species and conducted a nontargeted investigation of HT involving the panicoid genus Echinochloa, which showed the most HTs in the first set of analyses. The comparison of nine Echinochloa samples and ten Oryza species identified recurrent HTs of diverse transposable element (TE) types at different points in Oryza history, but no confirmed cases of HT for sequences other than TEs. One case of HT was observed from one Echinochloa species into one Oryza species with overlapping geographic distributions. Variation among species and data sets highlights difficulties in identifying all HT, but our investigations showed that sample sequence analyses can reveal the importance of HT for the diversification of the TE repertoire of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minkyu Park
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey L Bennetzen
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
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25
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Phylogenomic fingerprinting of tempo and functions of horizontal gene transfer within ochrophytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2009974118. [PMID: 33419955 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2009974118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is an important source of novelty in eukaryotic genomes. This is particularly true for the ochrophytes, a diverse and important group of algae. Previous studies have shown that ochrophytes possess a mosaic of genes derived from bacteria and eukaryotic algae, acquired through chloroplast endosymbiosis and from HGTs, although understanding of the time points and mechanisms underpinning these transfers has been restricted by the depth of taxonomic sampling possible. We harness an expanded set of ochrophyte sequence libraries, alongside automated and manual phylogenetic annotation, in silico modeling, and experimental techniques, to assess the frequency and functions of HGT across this lineage. Through manual annotation of thousands of single-gene trees, we identify continuous bacterial HGT as the predominant source of recently arrived genes in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Using a large-scale automated dataset, a multigene ochrophyte reference tree, and mathematical reconciliation of gene trees, we note a probable elevation of bacterial HGTs at foundational points in diatom evolution, following their divergence from other ochrophytes. Finally, we demonstrate that throughout ochrophyte evolutionary history, bacterial HGTs have been enriched in genes encoding secreted proteins. Our study provides insights into the sources and frequency of HGTs, and functional contributions that HGT has made to algal evolution.
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26
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Abstract
The advent of comparative genomics in the late 1990s led to the discovery of extensive lateral gene transfer in prokaryotes. The resulting debate over whether life as a whole is best represented as a tree or a network has since given way to a general consensus in which trees and networks co-exist rather than stand in opposition. Embracing this consensus allows us to move beyond the question of which is true or false. The future of the tree of life debate lies in asking what trees and networks can, and should, do for science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Blais
- Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - John M Archibald
- Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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27
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Gong Z, Han GZ. Flourishing in water: the early evolution and diversification of plant receptor-like kinases. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 106:174-184. [PMID: 33423360 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) play significant roles in mediating innate immunity and development of plants. The evolution of plant RLKs has been characterized by extensive variation in copy numbers and domain configurations. However, much remains unknown about the origin, evolution, and early diversification of plant RLKs. Here, we perform phylogenomic analyses of RLKs across plants (Archaeplastida), including embryophytes, charophytes, chlorophytes, prasinodermophytes, glaucophytes, and rhodophytes. We identify the presence of RLKs in all the streptophytes (land plants and charophytes), nine out of 18 chlorophytes, one prasinodermophyte, and one glaucophyte, but not in rhodophytes. Interestingly, the copy number of RLKs increased drastically in streptophytes after the split of the clade of Mesostigmatophyceae and Chlorokybophyceae and other streptophytes. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses suggest RLKs from charophytes form diverse distinct clusters, and are dispersed along the diversity of land plant RLKs, indicating that RLKs have extensively diversified in charophytes and charophyte RLKs seeded the major diversity of land plant RLKs. We identify at least 81 and 76 different kinase-associated domains for charophyte and land plant RLKs, 23 of which are shared, suggesting that RLKs might have evolved in a modular fashion through frequent domain gains or losses. We also detect signatures of positive selection for many charophyte RLK groups, indicating potential functions in host-microbe interaction. Taken together, our findings provide significant insights into the early evolution and diversification of plant RLKs and the ancient evolution of plant-microbe symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Gong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Guan-Zhu Han
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
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28
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Domingo-Sananes MR, McInerney JO. Mechanisms That Shape Microbial Pangenomes. Trends Microbiol 2021; 29:493-503. [PMID: 33423895 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Analyses of multiple whole-genome sequences from the same species have revealed that differences in gene content can be substantial, particularly in prokaryotes. Such variation has led to the recognition of pangenomes, the complete set of genes present in a species - consisting of core genes, present in all individuals, and accessory genes whose presence is variable. Questions now arise about how pangenomes originate and evolve. We describe how gene content variation can arise as a result of the combination of several processes, including random drift, selection, gain/loss balance, and the influence of ecological and epistatic interactions. We believe that identifying the contributions of these processes to pangenomes will need novel theoretical approaches and empirical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosa Domingo-Sananes
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
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29
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Henriquez FL, Mooney R, Bandel T, Giammarini E, Zeroual M, Fiori PL, Margarita V, Rappelli P, Dessì D. Paradigms of Protist/Bacteria Symbioses Affecting Human Health: Acanthamoeba species and Trichomonas vaginalis. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:616213. [PMID: 33488560 PMCID: PMC7817646 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.616213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ever since the publication of the seminal paper by Lynn Margulis in 1967 proposing the theory of the endosymbiotic origin of organelles, the study of the symbiotic relationships between unicellular eukaryotes and prokaryotes has received ever-growing attention by microbiologists and evolutionists alike. While the evolutionary significance of the endosymbiotic associations within protists has emerged and is intensively studied, the impact of these relationships on human health has been seldom taken into account. Microbial endosymbioses involving human eukaryotic pathogens are not common, and the sexually transmitted obligate parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and the free-living opportunistic pathogen Acanthamoeba represent two unique cases in this regard, to date. The reasons of this peculiarity for T. vaginalis and Acanthamoeba may be due to their lifestyles, characterized by bacteria-rich environments. However, this characteristic does not fully explain the reason why no bacterial endosymbiont has yet been detected in unicellular eukaryotic human pathogens other than in T. vaginalis and Acanthamoeba, albeit sparse and poorly investigated examples of morphological identification of bacteria-like microorganisms associated with Giardia and Entamoeba were reported in the past. In this review article we will present the body of experimental evidences revealing the profound effects of these examples of protist/bacteria symbiosis on the pathogenesis of the microbial species involved, and ultimately their impact on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona L Henriquez
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of West Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Ronnie Mooney
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of West Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Bandel
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of West Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Giammarini
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of West Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed Zeroual
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of West Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Fiori
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,Mediterrenean Center for Disease Control, Sassari, Italy
| | - Valentina Margarita
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Paola Rappelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,Mediterrenean Center for Disease Control, Sassari, Italy
| | - Daniele Dessì
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,Mediterrenean Center for Disease Control, Sassari, Italy
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