Comments on: Horizontal DNA transfer also causes bacterial DNA to be passed from generation to generation http://bacteriality.com/2007/12/30/dnatransfer/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:11:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Amy Proal http://bacteriality.com/2007/12/30/dnatransfer/comment-page-1/#comment-15110 Amy Proal Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:20:15 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/?p=219#comment-15110 Hi Greg, The abstract of the article states, ""We found and confirmed transfers into the genomes of four insect and four nematode species that range from nearly the entire Wolbachia genome (>1 megabase) to short (<500 base pairs) insertions." Since they are referring to DNA insertions I believe that the bacteria are merging their DNA with human chromosomal DNA. Maybe one thing I should have stressed to a greater degree is that only a person's sex cells will pass on any pathogen altered DNA to the next generation. Mutations to somatic cells will not be passed from parent to child. So we are dealing with DNA alterations in the sex chromosomes. Definitely interesting stuff! Best, Amy Hi Greg,

The abstract of the article states, “”We found and confirmed transfers into the genomes of four insect and four nematode species that range from nearly the entire Wolbachia genome (>1 megabase) to short (<500 base pairs) insertions.”

Since they are referring to DNA insertions I believe that the bacteria are merging their DNA with human chromosomal DNA.

Maybe one thing I should have stressed to a greater degree is that only a person’s sex cells will pass on any pathogen altered DNA to the next generation. Mutations to somatic cells will not be passed from parent to child. So we are dealing with DNA alterations in the sex chromosomes.

Definitely interesting stuff!

Best,

Amy

]]> By: Greg Beals http://bacteriality.com/2007/12/30/dnatransfer/comment-page-1/#comment-15072 Greg Beals Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:47:08 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/?p=219#comment-15072 Do these sequences anneal directly with host DNA, or do they exists as extrachromosomal? The article confuses in this respect. You specifically said "embedded in DNA". This seems highly unlikely, unless recombinant factors were involved naturally. However, if spermazoides\cells and ovum were transfected, it does sound plausible. I suppose the expression of the gene, or whatever, would be the thing to look for. The promoter would have to be intact obviously. This is something to follow, for sure--------------------------------Greg Do these sequences anneal directly with host DNA, or do they exists as extrachromosomal? The article confuses in this respect.
You specifically said “embedded in DNA”.
This seems highly unlikely, unless recombinant factors were involved naturally.
However, if spermazoides\cells and ovum were transfected, it does sound plausible. I suppose the expression of the gene, or whatever, would be the thing to look for. The promoter would have to be intact obviously.
This is something to follow, for sure——————————–Greg

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