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EUKARYOTIC GENES IN PHAGE. "Together, these genes increase the phage WO genome size by roughly 50% and include 10 types of protein domains with four predicted eukaryotic functions: toxins; host–microbe interactions; host cell suicide; and secretion of proteins through the cell membrane." https://lnkd.in/dYh3-r4 View in LinkedIn

SELECTION FOR GROUP. "There is direct experimental evidence for higher-level benefits associated with POD in unicells. In bacterial species, several studies have compared group-level function in POD-positive versus POD- negative strains." (POD = programmed organismal death). http://www.esciencecentral.org/journals/are-internal-death-promoting-mechanisms-ever-adaptive-2329-9002.1000113.pdf View in LinkedIn

EUKARYOTIC GENES IN WO PHAGE EAM. "Some of these genes (i) appear to encode protein domains and cleavage sites central to eukaryotic functions, (ii) occur in both phage and metazoan hosts, (iii) comprise the second largest phage gene to date (14,256 bp) and (iv) are absent from mutualistic, phage-free genomes of Wolbachia." (EAM = eukaryotic association module). https://lnkd.in/dYh3-r4 View in LinkedIn

SELECTION BEYOND. "There is experimental evidence of benefits at levels other than the organism in bacteria and some eukaryotes, as well as a range of possible functions. Proposals include levels both below (genetic element) and above (group) that of the individual cell." http://www.esciencecentral.org/journals/are-internal-death-promoting-mechanisms-ever-adaptive-2329-9002.1000113.pdf View in LinkedIn

WO PHAGE GENE MODULES. "Metagenomic analysis of the complete genome from phage WO particles reveals all formerly described phage genetic modules (lysogeny, baseplate, head, replication, virulence, tail and patatin-like phospholipase), as well as a new group of genes that we collectively group into a eukaryotic association module (EAM)." https://lnkd.in/dYh3-r4 View in LinkedIn

ADDING A SECOND DOMAIN. "Here we assemble the sequenced genomes of phage WO particles, resolve the bacteriophage attachment and bacterial integration sites, report a eukaryotic association module in bacteriophages and discuss lateral gene transfers between eukaryotes and bacteriophages." https://lnkd.in/dYh3-r4 View in LinkedIn

ABUNDANT GENE MECHANISMS IN PHAGES. "WO is a dynamic element that has a significant impact on the genetic diversity of Wolbachia. Analysis shows that WO molecular evolution is a complex process involving vertical transmission and horizontal transfer, recombination between phages, and hitchhiking of other mobile elements on WO." https://lnkd.in/dG3vir9 View in LinkedIn

WO BACTERIOPHAGE VIRUSES IN WOLBACHIA. "Screening of Wolbachia infections from a variety of invertebrate hosts indicate that prophage WO (named after Wolbachia) is widespread in the genus." https://lnkd.in/dG3vir9 View in LinkedIn

FRAGMENT FROM NATURE concludes this weekend on the Wolbachia theme which reveals unusual gene transfers during parasitism. Parasitism has long been likened to an arms race, although like everything else in Nature, there is a broad Bell curve. Between the Wolbachia bacteria, the bacteriophage WO virus that preys on the Wolbachia bacteria, and the eukaryotic host, there is shown to be liberal gene exchange, enriching the adaptive toolbox. More than likely, this is far from an isolated case. https://lnkd.in/dZe2vg8 View in LinkedIn

GENE OWNERSHIP. "Plasmids and bacteriophages may induce cell death in the host (or non-host daughter) cell. Whether or not this is considered an example of programmed organismal death, of course, hinges on whether or not selfish genetic elements are considered part of the organismal genome. The benefits in this case are straightforward and focused on the level of the selfish genetic element." View in LinkedIn