Cited by 379Genomics and Phylogenetic StudiesEvolution and Genetic DynamicsPhilosophy and History of Science

Horizontal gene transfer in evolution: facts and challenges

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Boto, Luis·2010·Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Abstract

The contribution of horizontal gene transfer to evolution has been controversial since it was suggested to be a force driving evolution in the microbial world. In this paper, I review the current standpoint on horizontal gene transfer in evolutionary thinking and discuss how important horizontal gene transfer is in evolution in the broad sense, and particularly in prokaryotic evolution. I review recent literature, asking, first, which processes are involved in the evolutionary success of transferred genes and, secondly, about the extent of horizontal gene transfer towards different evolutionary times. Moreover, I discuss the feasibility of reconstructing ancient phylogenetic relationships in the face of horizontal gene transfer. Finally, I discuss how horizontal gene transfer fits in the current neo-Darwinian evolutionary paradigm and conclude there is a need for a new evolutionary paradigm that includes horizontal gene transfer as well as other mechanisms in the explanation of evolution.

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  • Increased copper tolerance in S. cerevisiae was reported to be mediated by a genomic amplification of CUP1, decreased basal levels of the copper transporters CTR2 and CCC2, and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes.

    “Increased copper tolerance was reported to be mediated by a genomic amplification of CUP1, decreased basal levels of the copper transporters CTR2 and CCC2 and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes [117,128].”

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  1. Zinder N. D., Lederberg J.1952Genetic exchange in Salmonella. J. Bacteriol. 64, 679–699 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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Authors
Boto, L.
Affiliations
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
Corresponding author
Boto, Luis
Venue
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Published
2009-11-28
Volume
277
Issue
1683
Pages
819-827
ISSN
  • 0080-4649 (ISSN-L)
  • 0962-8452
  • 1471-2954
OpenAlex
W2108923274
Cited by
379
References
123
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 27
FWCI
1.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy and History of Science
Keywords
horizontal gene transfer, prokaryotic evolution, microbial evolution, phylogenetic inference, evolutionary processes, evolutionary timescales
MeSH terms
Archaea, Bacteria, Biological Evolution, Phylogeny, Gene Transfer, Horizontal

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