Genetic exchange between species is more common than previously thought

Bacteria are often thought to be organisms capable of sharing genetic structures, for example, by spreading genes that are resistant to drugs. But what is the level of gene structure sharing among other organisms, including humans? Two recent studies have shown that most bacterial species have genes or a large number of genes shared by other bacterial groups.

Researchers at Berkeley University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory say that even in some high-order microorganisms sharing genes is a rule, not an exception.

In two recent experiments conducted by the University of Berkeley, California, scientists have highlighted the surprising confusion of genes that appear to be frequently exchanged between microbes. objects especially in primitive microorganisms and these genes are often exchanged in packs.

Such gene exchange, dubbed horizontal gene exchange , is common in bacteria. It allows pathogenic bacteria to share genes that are resistant to drugs. Recently, two different plants were found to have exchanged genes for each other. The problem here is: Is this often happening and how does it happen?

The gene exchange model is horizontal.(Photo: Nature)

In this paper published this week in the Journal of Methods of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Berkeley University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory analyzed more than 8,000 different gene families for evaluation. The popularity of horizontal gene exchange. These gene families regulate protein sequences and are present in all living organisms.

They found that more than half of all original microorganisms have one or more protein genes derived from horizontal gene exchange compared to 30 to 50 percent of the bacterial species already present. get genes by this method. Only about 10% of eukaryotes, including plants and animals, acquire new genes through horizontal gene transfer.

According to the second study published in Nature , two species of bacteria that live together in a pink slime environment in an acidic mine in California state share a large group of genes. These genes regulate proteins that work together. Therefore, by obtaining a set of genes from other microorganisms, bacteria can develop new functions that help them adapt to the same type of habitat better and in this case a lip school is hot and acidic.

According to Jill Banfield, head of research at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, this is the first study of the exchange of large genes between microorganisms in the natural microbial community.

According to Sung-Hou Kim, a professor of chemistry at Berkeley University and co-author of the article in the Journal of National Science Institute methods, 'one of the main issues is being debated. Is there a horizontal phenomenon of horizontal gene exchange that is a ubiquitous phenomenon or is it just a rare case? This is extremely important in classifying microorganisms and comparing whole genomes to find their connections. '

'Our experiments show that gene exchange is a fairly common phenomenon but its level in a particular species is relatively low. That means, most organisms receive a gene or more from a close relative. It seems that the genes exchanged in pygmy horses have a metabolic relationship with each other and I believe this is completely wrong. If a group of genes doesn't work in a new habitat for an organism, it certainly won't last long. '

Bob Hettich, a researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and co-author of the article in Nature, said: 'This provides important information about the preservation of genetic resources that support life. can exist and grow. It is important that the knowledge gained from this study will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the genetic diversity of organisms with them and will lead to new breakthroughs in health care. human and environmental improvement. '

Banfield said that through the findings published in the journal Nature , the main purpose of the study is to find out exactly what species can do in a natural bacterial population, with high precision. not developed.

Banfield explained, 'In addition, to understand the genetic exchange history of the two bacterial species in the field, we have shown that a large number of protein sequences can be identified from species coexisting. and determining which species of protein these sequences originate from is also possible and even for organisms that have very close relationships. "

Banfield conducted a long-term study on the community of bacteria in greasy pools collected at Richmond near Redding, Califorina. Banfield said biofilm has become the ideal research topic because the population simply contains a sufficient number of bacterial species and they can be used as a standard model to answer questions such as How bacteria can interact with each other and their surroundings in more difficult conditions than other environmental conditions.

She then compared it to the model of Craig Venter, who circled the world in his Sorcerer II boat to collect a large number of bacteria to study their diversity. After four years of collecting with a large amount of genetic information, he will post his research papers in the Science Library of Science magazine next week.

In 2005, Banfield and his colleagues published the first large-scale study of the protein sequence that biochemists create to perform the necessary metabolic tasks for living under the surface. land, work that has revealed information about the mechanism used to adapt to their extremely difficult living conditions. Recently, in 2006, scientific researcher Brett Baker, Banfield and his colleagues announced that biofilm membranes contain new protozoa and seem to be tiny when compared to other Other life forms.

Banfield added 'analyzing how microorganisms respond to their habitats and the role of genetic material exchange in adaptation and development is important if we want to understand these too. Important environmental processes such as acid mine drainage, or ethanol production from degradation of cellulose by microbial communities. '

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