Horizontal Gene Transfer: Bacteria Transmit Genetic Code without Sex

JBeukema

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Apr 23, 2009
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Without sex—and many bacteria don't have sex thank you very much—it's harder for marine microbes to mix it up and achieve the genetic diversity that's key to population success. So how to adapt quickly rather than wait for the long, slow process of mutation in a species? The answer is so-called horizontal gene transfer (HGT)—which actually comprises a number of processes that enable bacteria to swap genetic code.

Marine biologist Lauren McDaniel of the University of South Florida and her colleagues tested the gene transfer abilities of nine alphaproteobacteria. These specific strains of bacteria have so-called gene transfer agents" (GTAs) or, as McDaniel calls them, "little genetic escape pods." In essence, Rhodobacter capsulatus, Roseovarius nubinhibens ISM and Reugeria mobilis 45A6, among others, could create packets of genetic material and then eject them into the surrounding waters.

Horizontal Gene Transfer: Bacteria Transmit Genetic Code without Sex: Scientific American
 

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