Application of a new mapping algorithm to reevaluate evidence of interdomain lateral gene transfer in the genome of thermotoga maritima

Abstract

Publication of the genome sequence of Thermotoga maritima highlighted its extensive sharing of genes with archaea. Subsequent analyses have shown that the amount of gene exchange is less than first estimated and the addition of new genome sequences to databases is likely to make future enumerations of archaeal gene exchanges more difficult. We present a preliminary use of a new algorithm that maps the relationships between genes to reveal communities of organisms that have shared genes through either vertical or horizontal acquisitions. This method is evaluated by examinations of the evolutionary histories of oligosaccharide ABC transporter genes and genes encoding a putative membrane bound oxidoreductase (mbx). Although further refinements are necessary, this method promises to provide a better picture of evolutionary relationships than conventional phylogenetic trees.