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Philips JG, Martin-Avila E, Robold AV. Horizontal gene transfer from genetically modified plants - Regulatory considerations. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:971402. [PMID: 36118580 PMCID: PMC9471246 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.971402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene technology regulators receive applications seeking permission for the environmental release of genetically modified (GM) plants, many of which possess beneficial traits such as improved production, enhanced nutrition and resistance to drought, pests and diseases. The regulators must assess the risks to human and animal health and to the environment from releasing these GM plants. One such consideration, of many, is the likelihood and potential consequence of the introduced or modified DNA being transferred to other organisms, including people. While such gene transfer is most likely to occur to sexually compatible relatives (vertical gene transfer), horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which is the acquisition of genetic material that has not been inherited from a parent, is also a possibility considered during these assessments. Advances in HGT detection, aided by next generation sequencing, have demonstrated that HGT occurrence may have been previously underestimated. In this review, we provide updated evidence on the likelihood, factors and the barriers for the introduced or modified DNA in GM plants to be horizontally transferred into a variety of recipients. We present the legislation and frameworks the Australian Gene Technology Regulator adheres to with respect to the consideration of risks posed by HGT. Such a perspective may generally be applicable to regulators in other jurisdictions as well as to commercial and research organisations who develop GM plants.
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Endophytic bacterial communities are associated with leaf mimicry in the vine Boquila trifoliolata. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22673. [PMID: 34811460 PMCID: PMC8608808 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02229-8] [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: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms behind the unique capacity of the vine Boquila trifoliolata to mimic the leaves of several tree species remain unknown. A hypothesis in the original leaf mimicry report considered that microbial vectors from trees could carry genes or epigenetic factors that would alter the expression of leaf traits in Boquila. Here we evaluated whether leaf endophytic bacterial communities are associated with the mimicry pattern. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we compared the endophytic bacterial communities in three groups of leaves collected in a temperate rainforest: (1) leaves from the model tree Rhaphithamnus spinosus (RS), (2) Boquila leaves mimicking the tree leaves (BR), and (3) Boquila leaves from the same individual vine but not mimicking the tree leaves (BT). We hypothesized that bacterial communities would be more similar in the BR-RS comparison than in the BT-RS comparison. We found significant differences in the endophytic bacterial communities among the three groups, verifying the hypothesis. Whereas non-mimetic Boquila leaves and tree leaves (BT-RS) showed clearly different bacterial communities, mimetic Boquila leaves and tree leaves (BR-RS) showed an overlap concerning their bacterial communities. The role of bacteria in this unique case of leaf mimicry should be studied further.
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Hibdige SGS, Raimondeau P, Christin PA, Dunning LT. Widespread lateral gene transfer among grasses. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 230:2474-2486. [PMID: 33887801 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lateral gene transfer (LGT) occurs in a broad range of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, occasionally promoting adaptation. LGT of functional nuclear genes has been reported among some plants, but systematic studies are needed to assess the frequency and facilitators of LGT. We scanned the genomes of a diverse set of 17 grass species that span more than 50 Ma of divergence and include major crops to identify grass-to-grass protein-coding LGT. We identified LGTs in 13 species, with significant variation in the amount each received. Rhizomatous species acquired statistically more genes, probably because this growth habit boosts opportunities for transfer into the germline. In addition, the amount of LGT increases with phylogenetic relatedness, which might reflect genomic compatibility among close relatives facilitating successful transfers. However, genetic exchanges among highly divergent species indicates that transfers can occur across almost the entire family. Overall, we showed that LGT is a widespread phenomenon in grasses that has moved functional genes across the grass family into domesticated and wild species alike. Successful LGTs appear to increase with both opportunity and compatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G S Hibdige
- Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Pauline Raimondeau
- Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | | | - Luke T Dunning
- Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
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Li Y, Mohanty S, Nilsson D, Hansson B, Mao K, Irbäck A. When a foreign gene meets its native counterpart: computational biophysics analysis of two PgiC loci in the grass Festuca ovina. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18752. [PMID: 33127989 PMCID: PMC7599235 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75650-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Duplicative horizontal gene transfer may bring two previously separated homologous genes together, which may raise questions about the interplay between the gene products. One such gene pair is the “native” PgiC1 and “foreign” PgiC2 in the perennial grass Festuca ovina. Both PgiC1 and PgiC2 encode cytosolic phosphoglucose isomerase, a dimeric enzyme whose proper binding is functionally essential. Here, we use biophysical simulations to explore the inter-monomer binding of the two homodimers and the heterodimer that can be produced by PgiC1 and PgiC2 in F. ovina. Using simulated native-state ensembles, we examine the structural properties and binding tightness of the dimers. In addition, we investigate their ability to withstand dissociation when pulled by a force. Our results suggest that the inter-monomer binding is tighter in the PgiC2 than the PgiC1 homodimer, which could explain the more frequent occurrence of the foreign PgiC2 homodimer in dry habitats. We further find that the PgiC1 and PgiC2 monomers are compatible with heterodimer formation; the computed binding tightness is comparable to that of the PgiC1 homodimer. Enhanced homodimer stability and capability of heterodimer formation with PgiC1 are properties of PgiC2 that may contribute to the retaining of the otherwise redundant PgiC2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sandipan Mohanty
- Institute for Advanced Simulation, Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Daniel Nilsson
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bengt Hansson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kangshan Mao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Anders Irbäck
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
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Dunning LT, Christin PA. Reticulate evolution, lateral gene transfer, and innovation in plants. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2020; 107:541-544. [PMID: 32198762 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luke T Dunning
- Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
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Denney DA, Jameel MI, Bemmels JB, Rochford ME, Anderson JT. Small spaces, big impacts: contributions of micro-environmental variation to population persistence under climate change. AOB PLANTS 2020; 12:plaa005. [PMID: 32211145 PMCID: PMC7082537 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Individuals within natural populations can experience very different abiotic and biotic conditions across small spatial scales owing to microtopography and other micro-environmental gradients. Ecological and evolutionary studies often ignore the effects of micro-environment on plant population and community dynamics. Here, we explore the extent to which fine-grained variation in abiotic and biotic conditions contributes to within-population variation in trait expression and genetic diversity in natural plant populations. Furthermore, we consider whether benign microhabitats could buffer local populations of some plant species from abiotic stresses imposed by rapid anthropogenic climate change. If microrefugia sustain local populations and communities in the short term, other eco-evolutionary processes, such as gene flow and adaptation, could enhance population stability in the longer term. We caution, however, that local populations may still decline in size as they contract into rare microhabitats and microrefugia. We encourage future research that explicitly examines the role of the micro-environment in maintaining genetic variation within local populations, favouring the evolution of phenotypic plasticity at local scales and enhancing population persistence under global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek A Denney
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - M Inam Jameel
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jordan B Bemmels
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mia E Rochford
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jill T Anderson
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Olofsson JK, Dunning LT, Lundgren MR, Barton HJ, Thompson J, Cuff N, Ariyarathne M, Yakandawala D, Sotelo G, Zeng K, Osborne CP, Nosil P, Christin PA. Population-Specific Selection on Standing Variation Generated by Lateral Gene Transfers in a Grass. Curr Biol 2019; 29:3921-3927.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Schmickl R, Marburger S, Bray S, Yant L. Hybrids and horizontal transfer: introgression allows adaptive allele discovery. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2017; 68:5453-5470. [PMID: 29096001 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erx297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Evolution has devised countless remarkable solutions to diverse challenges. Understanding the mechanistic basis of these solutions provides insights into how biological systems can be subtly tweaked without maladaptive consequences. The knowledge gained from illuminating these mechanisms is equally important to our understanding of fundamental evolutionary mechanisms as it is to our hopes of developing truly rational plant breeding and synthetic biology. In particular, modern population genomic approaches are proving very powerful in the detection of candidate alleles for mediating consequential adaptations that can be tested functionally. Especially striking are signals gained from contexts involving genetic transfers between populations, closely related species, or indeed between kingdoms. Here we discuss two major classes of these scenarios, adaptive introgression and horizontal gene flow, illustrating discoveries made across kingdoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roswitha Schmickl
- Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43 Průhonice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Benátská 2, 128 01 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sarah Marburger
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Sian Bray
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Levi Yant
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
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Li Y, Hansson B, Ghatnekar L, Prentice HC. Contrasting patterns of nucleotide polymorphism suggest different selective regimes within different parts of the PgiC1 gene in Festuca ovina L. Hereditas 2017; 154:11. [PMID: 28529468 PMCID: PMC5437402 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-017-0032-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI, EC 5.3.1.9) is an essential metabolic enzyme in all eukaryotes. An earlier study of the PgiC1 gene, which encodes cytosolic PGI in the grass Festuca ovina L., revealed a marked difference in the levels of nucleotide polymorphism between the 5’ and 3’ portions of the gene. Methods In the present study, we characterized the sequence polymorphism in F. ovina PgiC1 in more detail and examined possible explanations for the non-uniform pattern of nucleotide polymorphism across the gene. Results Our study confirms that the two portions of the PgiC1 gene show substantially different levels of DNA polymorphism and also suggests that the peptide encoded by the 3’ portion of PgiC1 is functionally and structurally more important than that encoded by the 5’ portion. Although there was some evidence of purifying selection (dN/dS test) on the 5’ portion of the gene, the signature of purifying selection was considerably stronger on the 3’ portion of the gene (dN/dS and McDonald–Kreitman tests). Several tests support the action of balancing selection within the 5’ portion of the gene. Wall’s B and Q tests were significant only for the 5’ portion of the gene. There were also marked peaks of nucleotide diversity, Tajima’s D and the dN/dS ratio at or around a PgiC1 codon site (within the 5’ portion of the gene) that a previous study had suggested was subject to positive diversifying selection. Conclusions Our results suggest that the two portions of the gene have been subject to different selective regimes. Purifying selection appears to have been the main force contributing to the relatively low level of polymorphism within the 3’ portion of the sequence. In contrast, it is possible that balancing selection has contributed to the maintenance of the polymorphism within the 5’ portion of the gene. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s41065-017-0032-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bengt Hansson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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