New
research indicates the tiny asexual bdelloid rotifer ingests DNA from
other organisms and assimilates it into its own genome.
The
bdelloid rotifer (the "b" is silent) is an unusual organism. Their
species is currently in an 80-million year-long dry spell, reproducing
through asexual means rather than sexual, and the entire population is
female. Because of the disastrous effect asexual reprodu
ction
can have on genetic diversity, many creatures that reproduce asexually
are considered destined for extinction. However, bdelloids have an
unusual way of gaining new DNA - they eat it.
Researchers from
the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London analysed all
bdelloid rotifers' messenger RNA (genetic code similar to DNA which
provides a blueprint for protein synthesis). When they compared it to
other known sequences, they found that many sequences had similar
counterparts in other organisms. Further research concluded that as much
10% of bdelloid rotifers' DNA is foreign, adopted from more than 500
different species!
The source of this foreign DNA appears to be
their food (algae, fungi and microbes). They found that when foreign
genes are activated during certain behaviours, meaning that bdelloids
can actually utilise the foreign DNA of organisms they ingest. Bdelloids
can survive extreme conditions, an example of which is severe
dehydration - an ability they have seemingly thanks to powerful
antioxidants - and researchers believe foreign genes are responsible for
this antioxidants.
“We were thrilled when we discovered that
nearly 10 per cent of bdelloids' active genes are foreign, adding to the
weirdness of an already odd little creature. We have a joke in the lab
that every time you investigate these animals … they come out with
something weird,” Alan Tunnacliffe (University of Cambridge and lead
author) says. “It’s like they’re here to keep us entertained and
surprised."
Photo credit: Marine Biological Laboratory.
For the paper on this discovery, click here: http://bit.ly/S1y36f
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.livescience.com/
http://www.wired.com/
New
research indicates the tiny asexual bdelloid rotifer ingests DNA from
other organisms and assimilates it into its own genome.
The bdelloid rotifer (the "b" is silent) is an unusual organism. Their species is currently in an 80-million year-long dry spell, reproducing through asexual means rather than sexual, and the entire population is female. Because of the disastrous effect asexual reprodu
The bdelloid rotifer (the "b" is silent) is an unusual organism. Their species is currently in an 80-million year-long dry spell, reproducing through asexual means rather than sexual, and the entire population is female. Because of the disastrous effect asexual reprodu
ction
can have on genetic diversity, many creatures that reproduce asexually
are considered destined for extinction. However, bdelloids have an
unusual way of gaining new DNA - they eat it.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London analysed all bdelloid rotifers' messenger RNA (genetic code similar to DNA which provides a blueprint for protein synthesis). When they compared it to other known sequences, they found that many sequences had similar counterparts in other organisms. Further research concluded that as much 10% of bdelloid rotifers' DNA is foreign, adopted from more than 500 different species!
The source of this foreign DNA appears to be their food (algae, fungi and microbes). They found that when foreign genes are activated during certain behaviours, meaning that bdelloids can actually utilise the foreign DNA of organisms they ingest. Bdelloids can survive extreme conditions, an example of which is severe dehydration - an ability they have seemingly thanks to powerful antioxidants - and researchers believe foreign genes are responsible for this antioxidants.
“We were thrilled when we discovered that nearly 10 per cent of bdelloids' active genes are foreign, adding to the weirdness of an already odd little creature. We have a joke in the lab that every time you investigate these animals … they come out with something weird,” Alan Tunnacliffe (University of Cambridge and lead author) says. “It’s like they’re here to keep us entertained and surprised."
Photo credit: Marine Biological Laboratory.
For the paper on this discovery, click here: http://bit.ly/S1y36f
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.livescience.com/
http://www.wired.com/
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London analysed all bdelloid rotifers' messenger RNA (genetic code similar to DNA which provides a blueprint for protein synthesis). When they compared it to other known sequences, they found that many sequences had similar counterparts in other organisms. Further research concluded that as much 10% of bdelloid rotifers' DNA is foreign, adopted from more than 500 different species!
The source of this foreign DNA appears to be their food (algae, fungi and microbes). They found that when foreign genes are activated during certain behaviours, meaning that bdelloids can actually utilise the foreign DNA of organisms they ingest. Bdelloids can survive extreme conditions, an example of which is severe dehydration - an ability they have seemingly thanks to powerful antioxidants - and researchers believe foreign genes are responsible for this antioxidants.
“We were thrilled when we discovered that nearly 10 per cent of bdelloids' active genes are foreign, adding to the weirdness of an already odd little creature. We have a joke in the lab that every time you investigate these animals … they come out with something weird,” Alan Tunnacliffe (University of Cambridge and lead author) says. “It’s like they’re here to keep us entertained and surprised."
Photo credit: Marine Biological Laboratory.
For the paper on this discovery, click here: http://bit.ly/S1y36f
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.livescience.com/
http://www.wired.com/
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