The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

LU

Emma Hammarlund

Research team manager

LU

Recurrence and propagation of past functions through mineral facilitated horizontal gene transfer

Author

  • Taru Verma
  • Saghar Hendiani
  • Carlota Carbajo
  • Sandra B. Andersen
  • Emma U. Hammarlund
  • Mette Burmølle
  • Karina K. Sand

Summary, in English

Horizontal gene transfer is one of the most important drivers of bacterial evolution. Transformation by uptake of extracellular DNA is traditionally not considered to be an effective mode of gene acquisition, simply because extracellular DNA is degraded in a matter of days when it is suspended in e.g. seawater. Recently the age span of stored DNA was increased to at least 2 Ma. Here, we show that Acinetobacter baylyi can incorporate 60 bp DNA fragments adsorbed to common sedimentary minerals and that the transformation frequencies scale with mineral surface properties. Our work highlights that ancient environmental DNA can fuel the evolution of contemporary bacteria. In contrast to heritable stochastic mutations, the processes by which bacteria acquire new genomic material during times of increased stress and needs, indicate a non-random mechanism that may propel evolution in a non-stochastic manner.

Department/s

  • StemTherapy: National Initiative on Stem Cells for Regenerative Therapy
  • EpiHealth: Epidemiology for Health
  • Molecular Evolution
  • LUCC: Lund University Cancer Centre
  • Lithosphere and Biosphere Science

Publishing year

2024

Language

English

Publication/Series

Frontiers in Microbiology

Volume

15

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Frontiers Media S. A.

Topic

  • Microbiology

Keywords

  • bacteria
  • evolution
  • extracellular DNA
  • horizontal gene transfer
  • minerals

Status

Published

Research group

  • Molecular Evolution

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1664-302X