Gene transfer
- Pronunciation
- /JEEN TRANZ-fer/
- Category
- General Biology
- Singular
- gene transfer
- Plural
- gene transfers
Definition
The movement of genetic material from one organism or to another, encompassing both (parent to offspring through ) and (between unrelated individuals or across boundaries). In and other organisms, gene transfer mechanisms include conjugation, transduction, , and the integration of mobile genetic elements such as and viral sequences.
Etymology
From Greek 'genos' (race, kind, offspring) and Latin 'transferre' (to carry across)
Example
from endosymbionts to their insect has been documented in multiple lineages, with some transfers comprising substantial portions of host nuclear and potentially influencing host and .
Synonyms
- genetic transfer
- DNA transfer
Related Terms
- Horizontal gene transfer
- Vertical transmission
- Transposon
- endosymbiont
- conjugation
- transduction
- Transformation
- mobile genetic element
- lateral gene transfer
- Wolbachia
Usage Notes
Distinguish vertical gene transfer (inheritance through , the standard mode in multicellular ) from horizontal or lateral gene transfer (movement between unrelated individuals, especially significant in bacteria and increasingly recognized in and other eukaryotes). In entomological literature, 'gene transfer' without qualification usually implies horizontal transfer when discussing microbial or applications such as transgenic insects.