Chiropterans Are a Hotspot for Horizontal Transfer of DNA Transposons in Mammalia.
Publication Title
Molecular biology and evolution
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2-2023
Keywords
washington; isb; genomics; echidna; endogenous retrovirus; fusogenic envelope protein; monotremes; platypus; Animals; DNA Transposable Elements; Chiroptera; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Evolution, Molecular; Mammals; Phylogeny
Abstract
Horizontal transfer of transposable elements (TEs) is an important mechanism contributing to genetic diversity and innovation. Bats (order Chiroptera) have repeatedly been shown to experience horizontal transfer of TEs at what appears to be a high rate compared with other mammals. We investigated the occurrence of horizontally transferred (HT) DNA transposons involving bats. We found over 200 putative HT elements within bats; 16 transposons were shared across distantly related mammalian clades, and 2 other elements were shared with a fish and two lizard species. Our results indicate that bats are a hotspot for horizontal transfer of DNA transposons. These events broadly coincide with the diversification of several bat clades, supporting the hypothesis that DNA transposon invasions have contributed to genetic diversification of bats.
Specialty/Research Institute
Institute for Systems Biology
DOI
10.1093/molbev/msad092
