Genes for cooperation are not more likely to be carried by plasmids

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2017)

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

Cooperation is prevalent across bacteria, but risks being exploited by non-cooperative cheats. Horizontal gene transfer, particularly via plasmids, has been suggested as a mechanism to stabilize cooperation. A key prediction of this hypothesis that genes which are more likely be transferred, such those on should code for cooperative traits. Testing requires identifying all cooperation in bacterial genomes. However, previous studies used method misses some these To solve this, we new genomics tool, SOCfinder, uses three distinct modules identify kinds We compared where were located 4648 genomes from 146 species. In contrast the hypothesis, found no evidence plasmid Instead, opposite—that carried chromosomes. Overall, vast majority not suggesting general kin selection sufficient explain prevalence bacteria.

Language: Английский

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SOCfinder: a genomic tool for identifying social genes in bacteria

Microbial Genomics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(12)

Published: Dec. 20, 2023

Bacteria cooperate by working collaboratively to defend their colonies, share nutrients, and resist antibiotics. Nevertheless, our understanding of these remarkable behaviours primarily comes from studying a few well-characterized species. Consequently, there is significant gap in microbial social traits, particularly natural environments. To address this gap, we can use bioinformatic tools identify genes that control cooperative or otherwise traits. Existing challenge through two approaches. One approach encode extracellular proteins, which provide benefits neighbouring cells. An alternative predict gene function using annotation tools. However, have several limitations. Not all proteins are cooperative, not controlled proteins. Furthermore, existing functional methods frequently miss known genes. We introduce SOCfinder as new tool find bacterial combines information methods, considering if likely [] code for an protein [], annotation, be part the biosynthesis secondary metabolite. data on extensively-studied species ( P. aeruginosa B. subtilis ) show better at finding than also theory population genetics signature kin selection genes, lacking identified opens up number exciting directions future research, available download https://github.com/lauriebelch/SOCfinder .

Language: Английский

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The Limits of Our Explanation: A Case Study in Myxococcus xanthus Cooperation

Biological Theory, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 12, 2024

Abstract In this article, I demonstrate two ways in which our major theories of the evolution cooperation may fail to capture particular social phenomena. The first shortcoming current stems from possibility mischaracterizing cooperative problem game theory. second is insensitivity these explanatory models ecological and genomic context. As a case study illustrate points, will use interaction species myxobacteria called Myxococcus xanthus. M. xanthus cooperate many areas their life cycle—in quorum sensing, motility, fruiting body formation, predation. focus on predation as we have not yet discovered an adequate explanation how they sustain face developmental cheats. explaining why not, draw generalizable conclusions that shed light simplified explain real-world behaviors variety organisms.

Language: Английский

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