New analysis reveals that Prochlorococcus trade genetic data with each other, even when extensively separated, by a beforehand undocumented mechanism. Credit: Thomas Hackl et al / MIT News
From the tropics to the poles, from the ocean floor to lots of of ft under, the world’s oceans are teeming with one of many tiniest of organisms: a sort of micro organism known as Prochlorococcus, which regardless of their minute dimension are collectively chargeable for a large portion of the oceans’ oxygen manufacturing. But the outstanding means of those diminutive organisms to diversify and adapt to such profoundly completely different environments has remained one thing of a thriller.
Now, new analysis reveals that these tiny micro organism trade genetic data with each other, even when extensively separated, by a beforehand undocumented mechanism. This allows them to transmit entire blocks of genes, akin to these conferring the power to metabolize a specific type of nutrient or to defend themselves from viruses, even in areas the place their inhabitants within the water is comparatively sparse.
The findings describe a brand new class of genetic brokers concerned in horizontal gene switch, during which genetic data is handed straight between organisms—whether or not of the identical or completely different species—by way of means apart from lineal descent. The researchers have dubbed the brokers that perform this switch “tycheposons,” that are sequences of DNA that may embody a number of complete genes in addition to surrounding sequences, and might spontaneously separate out from the encompassing DNA. Then, they are often transported to different organisms by one or one other doable service system together with tiny bubbles referred to as vesicles that cells can produce from their very own membranes.
The analysis, which included learning lots of of Prochlorococcus…
2023-01-05 17:03:56 Scientists uncover a brand new means of sharing genetic data in a standard ocean microbe
Post from phys.org