Horizontal Transfer of Symbiosis Genes within and Between Rhizobial Genera: Occurrence and Importance
Rhizobial symbiosis genes are often carried on symbiotic islands or plasmids that can be transferred (horizontal transfer) between different bacterial species. Symbiosis genes involved in horizontal transfer have different phylogenies with respect to the core genome of their ‘host&rsqu...
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doaj-41859c4436894401876fd57d3e776d832020-11-25T00:06:28ZengMDPI AGGenes2073-44252018-06-019732110.3390/genes9070321genes9070321Horizontal Transfer of Symbiosis Genes within and Between Rhizobial Genera: Occurrence and ImportanceMitchell Andrews0Sofie De Meyer1Euan K. James2Tomasz Stępkowski3Simon Hodge4Marcelo F. Simon5J. Peter W. Young6Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln 7647, New ZealandCentre for Rhizobium Studies, Murdoch University, Murdoch 6150, AustraliaJames Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UKAutonomous Department of Microbial Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), 02-776 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln 7647, New ZealandEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasilia DF 70770-917, BrazilDepartment of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UKRhizobial symbiosis genes are often carried on symbiotic islands or plasmids that can be transferred (horizontal transfer) between different bacterial species. Symbiosis genes involved in horizontal transfer have different phylogenies with respect to the core genome of their ‘host’. Here, the literature on legume–rhizobium symbioses in field soils was reviewed, and cases of phylogenetic incongruence between rhizobium core and symbiosis genes were collated. The occurrence and importance of horizontal transfer of rhizobial symbiosis genes within and between bacterial genera were assessed. Horizontal transfer of symbiosis genes between rhizobial strains is of common occurrence, is widespread geographically, is not restricted to specific rhizobial genera, and occurs within and between rhizobial genera. The transfer of symbiosis genes to bacteria adapted to local soil conditions can allow these bacteria to become rhizobial symbionts of previously incompatible legumes growing in these soils. This, in turn, will have consequences for the growth, life history, and biogeography of the legume species involved, which provides a critical ecological link connecting the horizontal transfer of symbiosis genes between rhizobial bacteria in the soil to the above-ground floral biodiversity and vegetation community structure.http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/9/7/321Fabaceaelateral gene transferlegumesN2 fixationnodulationnod genes |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Mitchell Andrews Sofie De Meyer Euan K. James Tomasz Stępkowski Simon Hodge Marcelo F. Simon J. Peter W. Young |
spellingShingle |
Mitchell Andrews Sofie De Meyer Euan K. James Tomasz Stępkowski Simon Hodge Marcelo F. Simon J. Peter W. Young Horizontal Transfer of Symbiosis Genes within and Between Rhizobial Genera: Occurrence and Importance Genes Fabaceae lateral gene transfer legumes N2 fixation nodulation nod genes |
author_facet |
Mitchell Andrews Sofie De Meyer Euan K. James Tomasz Stępkowski Simon Hodge Marcelo F. Simon J. Peter W. Young |
author_sort |
Mitchell Andrews |
title |
Horizontal Transfer of Symbiosis Genes within and Between Rhizobial Genera: Occurrence and Importance |
title_short |
Horizontal Transfer of Symbiosis Genes within and Between Rhizobial Genera: Occurrence and Importance |
title_full |
Horizontal Transfer of Symbiosis Genes within and Between Rhizobial Genera: Occurrence and Importance |
title_fullStr |
Horizontal Transfer of Symbiosis Genes within and Between Rhizobial Genera: Occurrence and Importance |
title_full_unstemmed |
Horizontal Transfer of Symbiosis Genes within and Between Rhizobial Genera: Occurrence and Importance |
title_sort |
horizontal transfer of symbiosis genes within and between rhizobial genera: occurrence and importance |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Genes |
issn |
2073-4425 |
publishDate |
2018-06-01 |
description |
Rhizobial symbiosis genes are often carried on symbiotic islands or plasmids that can be transferred (horizontal transfer) between different bacterial species. Symbiosis genes involved in horizontal transfer have different phylogenies with respect to the core genome of their ‘host’. Here, the literature on legume–rhizobium symbioses in field soils was reviewed, and cases of phylogenetic incongruence between rhizobium core and symbiosis genes were collated. The occurrence and importance of horizontal transfer of rhizobial symbiosis genes within and between bacterial genera were assessed. Horizontal transfer of symbiosis genes between rhizobial strains is of common occurrence, is widespread geographically, is not restricted to specific rhizobial genera, and occurs within and between rhizobial genera. The transfer of symbiosis genes to bacteria adapted to local soil conditions can allow these bacteria to become rhizobial symbionts of previously incompatible legumes growing in these soils. This, in turn, will have consequences for the growth, life history, and biogeography of the legume species involved, which provides a critical ecological link connecting the horizontal transfer of symbiosis genes between rhizobial bacteria in the soil to the above-ground floral biodiversity and vegetation community structure. |
topic |
Fabaceae lateral gene transfer legumes N2 fixation nodulation nod genes |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/9/7/321 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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