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Nature Reviews Genetics
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Do bacteria have sex?

Nature Reviews Geneticsvolume 2, pages634–639 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Do bacteria have genes for genetic exchange? The idea that the bacterial processes that cause genetic exchange exist because of natural selection for this process is shared by almost all microbiologists and population geneticists. However, this assumption has been perpetuated by generations of biology, microbiology and genetics textbooks without ever being critically examined.

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Figure 1: Genetic exchange in bacteria.
Figure 2: The role of RuvC in DNA replication and recombination.
Figure 3: Methods of DNA transfer.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada

    Rosemary J. Redfield

Authors
  1. Rosemary J. Redfield

Glossary

CATABOLITE REPRESSION

Transcriptional repression of a prokaryotic operon by the metabolic products of the enzymes that are encoded by the operon.

CONJUGATION

In prokaryotes, transfer of DNA from a donor cell to a recipient cell is mediated by direct cell–cell contact.

CONSPECIFICS

Members of the same species.

FITNESS

A measure of the capacity of an organism to survive and reproduce.

HOLLIDAY JUNCTIONS

Cross-shaped junctions at which four strands of DNA meet and exchange partners, an important intermediate of recombination.

HORIZONTAL TRANSFER

Acquisition of genetic information from another cell.

OPERON

A genetic unit or cluster that consists of one or more genes that are transcribed as a unit and are expressed in a coordinated manner.

PROPHAGE

An inactive bacteriophage genome integrated into the host genome.

PROTISTS

Single-celled eukaryotes.

QUORUM-SENSING PEPTIDES

Peptides secreted and detected by cells. Cells respond to extracellular peptide only when cell densities are sufficiently high (the 'quorum state') that the extracellular concentration of the peptide exceeds a threshold.

REC PROTEINS

A general class of protein that participates in recombination.

RECOMBINATIONAL REPAIR

DNA repair made possible when a damaged DNA strand base-pairs with a complementary undamaged strand from a different molecule.

RUV PROTEINS

Proteins that translocate and resolve Holliday junctions.

TRANSDUCTION

Virus- or phage-mediated introduction into a cell of a DNA fragment derived from a different cell.

TRANSFORMATION

Change of the genotype of a cell brought about by uptake of free DNA.

TRANSPOSASE

An enzyme that carries out the site-specific DNA recombination required for transposition.

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