Prokaryotic Evolution in Light of Gene Transfer

Accumulating prokaryotic gene and genome sequences reveal that the exchange of genetic information through both homology-dependent recombination and horizontal (lateral) gene transfer (HGT) is far more important, in quantity and quality, than hitherto imagined. The traditional view, that prokaryotic evolution can be understood primarily in terms of clonal divergence and periodic selection, must be augmented to embrace gene exchange as a creative force, itself responsible for much of the pattern of similarities and differences we see between prokaryotic microbes. Rather than replacing periodic selection on genetic diversity, gene loss, and other chromosomal alterations as important players in adaptive…

• DA
  David and Lucile Packard Foundation
• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• CI
  Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
• CR
  Canada Research Chairs
• HC
  Health Canada
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research