Detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta
Abstract Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), the movement of heritable materials between distantly related organisms, is crucial in eukaryotic evolution. However, the scale of HGT in choanoflagellates, the closest unicellular relatives of metazoans, and its possible roles in the evolution of animal mult...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85259-6 |
| _version_ | 1818751938974449664 |
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| author | Danielle M. Matriano Rosanna A. Alegado Cecilia Conaco |
| author_facet | Danielle M. Matriano Rosanna A. Alegado Cecilia Conaco |
| author_sort | Danielle M. Matriano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), the movement of heritable materials between distantly related organisms, is crucial in eukaryotic evolution. However, the scale of HGT in choanoflagellates, the closest unicellular relatives of metazoans, and its possible roles in the evolution of animal multicellularity remains unexplored. We identified at least 175 candidate HGTs in the genome of the colonial choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta using sequence-based tests. The majority of these were orthologous to genes in bacterial and microalgal lineages, yet displayed genomic features consistent with the rest of the S. rosetta genome—evidence of ancient acquisition events. Putative functions include enzymes involved in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, cell signaling, and the synthesis of extracellular matrix components. Functions of candidate HGTs may have contributed to the ability of choanoflagellates to assimilate novel metabolites, thereby supporting adaptation, survival in diverse ecological niches, and response to external cues that are possibly critical in the evolution of multicellularity in choanoflagellates. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:43:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3d044552cd454681a80acb7cc74ac780 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:43:32Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-3d044552cd454681a80acb7cc74ac7802022-12-21T21:20:39ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-03-0111111110.1038/s41598-021-85259-6Detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosettaDanielle M. Matriano0Rosanna A. Alegado1Cecilia Conaco2Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, DilimanDepartment of Oceanography, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, University of Hawaiʻi at ManoaMarine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, DilimanAbstract Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), the movement of heritable materials between distantly related organisms, is crucial in eukaryotic evolution. However, the scale of HGT in choanoflagellates, the closest unicellular relatives of metazoans, and its possible roles in the evolution of animal multicellularity remains unexplored. We identified at least 175 candidate HGTs in the genome of the colonial choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta using sequence-based tests. The majority of these were orthologous to genes in bacterial and microalgal lineages, yet displayed genomic features consistent with the rest of the S. rosetta genome—evidence of ancient acquisition events. Putative functions include enzymes involved in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, cell signaling, and the synthesis of extracellular matrix components. Functions of candidate HGTs may have contributed to the ability of choanoflagellates to assimilate novel metabolites, thereby supporting adaptation, survival in diverse ecological niches, and response to external cues that are possibly critical in the evolution of multicellularity in choanoflagellates.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85259-6 |
| spellingShingle | Danielle M. Matriano Rosanna A. Alegado Cecilia Conaco Detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta Scientific Reports |
| title | Detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta |
| title_full | Detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta |
| title_fullStr | Detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta |
| title_short | Detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta |
| title_sort | detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate salpingoeca rosetta |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85259-6 |
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