UNSPECIFIED. (2005) Potential photosynthesis gene recombination between Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus via viral intermediates. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, 7 (10). pp. 1505-1513. ISSN 1462-2912

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Abstract

Genes (psbA and psbD) encoding for photosynthetically important proteins were recently found in a number of cultured cyanophage genomes. This phenomenon may be a beneficial trait to the viruses or their photosynthetic cyanobacterial hosts, or may represent an untapped pool of genes involved in the formation of the photosynthetic apparatus that are prone to lateral gene transfer. Here we show analyses of psbA genes from uncultured environmental viruses and prophage populations. We observe a statistically significant separation between viral genes and their potential Synechococcus hosts' genes, and statistical analyses under models of codon evolution indicate that the psbA genes of viruses are evolving under levels of purifying selection that are virtually indistinguishable from their hosts. Furthermore, our data also indicate the possible exchange and reshuffling of psbA genes between Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus via phage intermediates. Overall, these observations raise the possibility that marine viruses serve as a potential genetic pool in shaping the evolution of cyanobacterial photosynthesis.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QR Microbiology
Journal or Publication Title:	ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
Publisher:	BLACKWELL PUBLISHING
ISSN:	1462-2912
Date:	October 2005
Volume:	7
Number:	10
Number of Pages:	9
Page Range:	pp. 1505-1513
Identification Number:	10.1111/j.1462-2920.2005.00833.x
Publication Status:	Published
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/6624

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