Extensive horizontal transfer of core genome genes between two Lactobacillus species found in the gastrointestinal tract.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While genes that are conserved between related bacterial species are usually thought to have evolved along with the species, phylogenetic trees reconstructed for individual genes may contradict this picture and indicate horizontal gene transfer. Individual trees are often not resolved with high confidence, however, and in that case alternative trees are generally not considered as contradicting the species tree, although not confirming it either. Here we conduct an in-depth analysis of 401 protein phylogenetic trees inferred with varying levels of confidence for three lactobacilli from the acidophilus complex. At present the relationship between these bacteria, isolated from environments as diverse as the gastrointestinal tract (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillu

SUBMITTER: Nicolas P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1994166 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature