Gorgeous mosaic of mitochondrial genes created by horizontal transfer and gene conversion.

ABSTRACT: The best known outcome of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the introduction of novel genes, but other outcomes have been described. When a transferred gene has a homolog in the recipient genome, the native gene may be functionally replaced (and subsequently lost) or partially overwritten by gene conversion with transiently present foreign DNA. Here we report the discovery, in two lineages of plant mitochondrial genes, of novel gene combinations that arose by conversion between coresident native and foreign homologs. These lineages have undergone intricate conversion between native and foreign copies, with conversion occurring repeatedly and differentially over the course of speciation, leading to radiations of mosaic genes involved in respiration and intron splicing. Based on these findin

SUBMITTER: Hao W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3003057 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature