The source of laterally transferred genes in bacterial genomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Laterally transferred genes have often been identified on the basis of compositional features that distinguish them from ancestral genes in the genome. These genes are usually A+T-rich, arguing either that there is a bias towards acquiring genes from donor organisms having low G+C contents or that genes acquired from organisms of similar genomic base compositions go undetected in these analyses.

Results

By examining the genome contents of closely related, fully sequenced bacteria, we uncovered genes confined to a single genome and examined the sequence features of these acquired genes. The analysis shows that few transfer events are overlooked by compositional analyses. Most observed lateral gene transfers do not correspond to free exchange of regular genes among

SUBMITTER: Daubin V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC193657 | biostudies-literature | 2003

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature