According to a new study published in the journal Science on March 7, a gene obtained from a prokaryote for an algae species may help it adapt to the extreme environment of survival-acid hot springs. Researchers predict that about 5% of the protein encoding genes of this extreme environmental red algae are obtained from bacteria or archaea, giving them metabolic adaptability to survive under unusual conditions. Biocom "People think that eukaryotic cells cannot withstand such a harsh environment, but the data shows that they can-it has obtained a solution from the prokaryotic world," Eduardo Rocha, microbiological evolution genomics scientist at the Pasteur Institute The study) said. Although many examples have confirmed that eukaryotes have obtained new genes from prokaryotes, this is the first time that the transfer of genes has been horizontally linked to adaptive benefits. In this red algae (Galdieria sulphuraria), "For many genes derived from prokaryotes, we can directly see adaptive benefits."
The evolution of eukaryotes mainly relies on the use of the resources at hand-copying and reusing genes already encoded in the organism's genome. It is well known that prokaryotes such as bacteria can obtain genetic material from their environment, and in the past few years scientists have also discovered many examples of gene transfer at the level of eukaryotes. Gerald Schönknecht, an evolutionary biologist at Oklahoma State University, said a 2008 diatom genome study identified hundreds of genes from prokaryotes. However, it is unclear whether these genes confer any benefits.
Christine OesterheltIn is responsible for testing whether eukaryotes can obtain favorable genes from prokaryotes through horizontal gene transfer. Schönknecht and Andreas Weber of the University of Düsseldorf in Germany sequenced the genome of Galdieria sulphuraria. This red algae lives in sulfuric hot springs rich in acid and toxic metals. However, in such an environment where most other organisms cannot adapt, G. sulphuraria is still able to carry out photosynthesis to survive. Biocom researchers have discovered at least 75 different gene transfers from bacteria or archaea in its genome. This includes a group of archaea soluble ATPases (ATPases) not previously found in any other eukaryotes. Researchers speculate that this group of ATPases enables organisms to withstand extreme temperatures. The researchers also discovered a bacterial sodium pump associated with resistance to high salt and a bacterial arsenic membrane pump that helps protect algae from toxic metals. Schönknecht and Weber speculate that a total of 5% of protein-coding genes in G. sulphuraria are obtained from prokaryotic organisms in the environment.
Debashish Bhattacharya, an evolutionary geneticist at Rutgers University (not involved in the study), said: "The new wave of research provides evidence that eukaryotes, like bacteria, can fundamentally change their lifestyle by collecting genes. In addition Research data suggests that many single-cell eukaryotes may be naturally 'variable'-more capable of obtaining all genes than previously thought. "Weber expects that horizontal gene transfer between eukaryotes may be more than expected It is more common, but its mechanism is still unclear. "Understanding its operating mechanism is the goal of the next large-scale frontier research."
Chris Bowler, a genomic biologist at the French National Center for Scientific Research, said that transposable elements and viruses may be the two "candidates" responsible for such transfers. By tabulating such sequences, their spread, and their location in the G. sulphuraria genome near genes from prokaryotes, researchers will be able to better understand the relevant mechanisms.
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