Recombination-independent rapid convergent evolution of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Helicobacter pylori is a human stomach pathogen, naturally-competent for DNA uptake, and prone to homologous recombination. Extensive homoplasy (i.e., phylogenetically-unlinked identical variations) observed in H. pylori genes is considered a hallmark of such recombination. However, H. pylori also exhibits a high mutation rate. The relative adaptive role of homologous recombination and mutation in species diversity is a highly-debated issue in biology. Recombination results in homoplasy. While convergent mutation can also account for homoplasy, its contribution is thought to be minor. We demonstrate here that, contrary to dogma, convergent mutation is a key contributor to Helicobacter pylori homoplasy, potentially driven by adaptive evolution of proteins.

Results

SUBMITTER: Chattopadhyay S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6249973 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature