Widespread horizontal gene transfer from circular single-stranded DNA viruses to eukaryotic genomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In addition to vertical transmission, organisms can also acquire genes from other distantly related species or from their extra-chromosomal elements (plasmids and viruses) via horizontal gene transfer (HGT). It has been suggested that phages represent substantial forces in prokaryotic evolution. In eukaryotes, retroviruses, which can integrate into host genome as an obligate step in their replication strategy, comprise approximately 8% of the human genome. Unlike retroviruses, few members of other virus families are known to transfer genes to host genomes.

Results

Here we performed a systematic search for sequences related to circular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses in publicly available eukaryotic genome databases followed by comprehensive phylogenetic analys

SUBMITTER: Liu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3198968 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature