Horizontal Transfer and the Evolution of Host-Pathogen Interactions. (26th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de la Casa-Esperón, Elena
• Other Names: Boissinot Stephane Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of evolutionary biology. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-11-26
• Subjects: Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; Biological Evolution; Biological Phenomena; Evolution (Biology); Electronic journals; Periodical; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodicals; 576.805
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/679045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-8032

Abstract

Abstract : Horizontal gene transfer has been long known in viruses and prokaryotes, but its importance in eukaryotes has been only acknowledged recently. Close contact between organisms, as it occurs between pathogens and their hosts, facilitates the occurrence of DNA transfer events. Once inserted in a foreign genome, DNA sequences have sometimes been coopted by pathogens to improve their survival or infectivity, or by hosts to protect themselves against the harm of pathogens. Hence, horizontal transfer constitutes a source of novel sequences that can be adopted to change the host-pathogen interactions. Therefore, horizontal transfer can have an important impact on the coevolution of pathogens and their hosts.