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Ancient Gene Transfer as a Tool in Phylogenetic Reconstruction

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Horizontal Gene Transfer

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 532))

Abstract

Although horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is often considered as a disruptive force in reconstructing organismal phylogeny, it can also be a valuable phylogenetic tool. A gene in the net of life is often horizontally transferred to the ancestor of a major lineage. If the gene is retained in the recipient and its descendants, it will constitute a shared derived character and mark the recipient and all descendants as a monophyletic group. Additionally, phylogenetically informative HGTs also provide information about the sequence of emergence of involved taxa, because the donor organism must have emerged at least as early as the recipient. Here we review the recent applications of ancient HGT events in reconstructing organismal phylogeny as well as the promise and potential pitfalls of this approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA

    Jinling Huang

  2. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Johann Peter Gogarten

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  1. Jinling Huang
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  2. Johann Peter Gogarten
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Connecticut, 968 Warrenville Road, Mansfield Center, CT 06250, USA

    Maria Boekels Gogarten

  2. Dept. Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Rd., Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA

    Johann Peter Gogarten

  3. Biology Department, St. Lawrence University, 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617, USA

    Lorraine C. Olendzenski

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© 2009 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Huang, J., Gogarten, J.P. (2009). Ancient Gene Transfer as a Tool in Phylogenetic Reconstruction. In: Gogarten, M.B., Gogarten, J.P., Olendzenski, L.C. (eds) Horizontal Gene Transfer. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 532. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-853-9_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-853-9_7

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60327-852-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-853-9

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