The case of horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to the peculiar dinoflagellate plastid genome.

ABSTRACT: Organelle genomes lose their genes by transfer to host nuclear genomes, but only occasionally are enriched by foreign genes from other sources. In contrast to mitochondria, plastid genomes are especially resistant to such horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and thus every gene acquired in this way is notable. An exceptional case of HGT was recently recognized in the peculiar peridinin plastid genome of dinoflagellates, which is organized in plasmid-like minicircles. Genomic and phylogenetic analyses of Ceratium horridum and Pyrocystis lunula minicircles revealed four genes and one unannotated open reading frame that probably were gained from bacteria belonging to the Bacteroidetes. Such bacteria seem to be a good source of genes because close endosymbiotic associations between th

SUBMITTER: Mackiewicz P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3812789 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature