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Prokaryotic Evolution in Light of Gene Transfer

2002· article· en· 998 citations· W2110105435 on OpenAlex· 10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a004046

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Abstract

Accumulating prokaryotic gene and genome sequences reveal that the exchange of genetic information through both homology-dependent recombination and horizontal (lateral) gene transfer (HGT) is far more important, in quantity and quality, than hitherto imagined. The traditional view, that prokaryotic evolution can be understood primarily in terms of clonal divergence and periodic selection, must be augmented to embrace gene exchange as a creative force, itself responsible for much of the pattern of similarities and differences we see between prokaryotic microbes. Rather than replacing periodic selection on genetic diversity, gene loss, and other chromosomal alterations as important players in adaptive evolution, gene exchange acts in concert with these processes to provide a rich explanatory paradigm-some of whose implications we explore here. In particular, we discuss (1) the role of recombination and HGT in giving phenotypic "coherence" to prokaryotic taxa at all levels of inclusiveness, (2) the implications of these processes for the reconstruction and meaning of "phylogeny," and (3) new views of prokaryotic adaptation and diversification based on gene acquisition and exchange.

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The record

Venue
Molecular Biology and Evolution
Topic
CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
Field
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Canadian institutions
Funders
National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationHealth CanadaCanada Research ChairsCanadian Institute for Advanced ResearchCanadian Institutes of Health ResearchDavid and Lucile Packard Foundation
Keywords
BiologyHorizontal gene transferEvolutionary biologyGeneGenomeGeneticsPhylogeneticsGene duplicationGene poolPhylogenetic treeAdaptation (eye)Tree of life (biology)Diversification (marketing strategy)Homology (biology)Gene conversionGenetic diversity
Has abstract in OpenAlex
yes