Rapid disease emergence through horizontal gene transfer between eukaryotes.
Among different species of eukaryotes, the extent and evolutionary significance of horizontal gene transfer remains poorly understood. A newly published study by Friesen and colleagues indicates that a recent gene transfer between two species of fungi has enabled the recipient to rapidly acquire high virulence on wheat. The study highlights a mechanism by which diseases can suddenly emerge, but also brings up the controversial issues of how horizontal gene transfer occurs and whether fungal incompatibility barriers to gene flow are more 'leaky' than was previously thought.
Sanders
Ian R
IR
Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. ian.sanders@unil.ch
D005057:Eukaryotic Cells; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D014774:Virulence