Functional Horizontal Gene Transfer from Bacteria to Eukaryotes

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Microbiol

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Microbiology

Date 2017 Nov 28

PMID 29176581

Citations 200

Authors

Filip Husnik

John P McCutcheon

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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

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