Lateral gene transfer (LGT) has been documented in a broad range of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and it can promote adaptation. LGT of functional nuclear genes has been reported among some plants, but systematic studies are needed to assess the frequency and facilitators of LGT in the group. We scan the genomes of a diverse set of 17 grass species that span more than 50 million years of divergence and include major crops to identify grass-to-grass protein-coding LGT. We identify LGT in 13 species, with significant variation in the amount each received. Rhizomatous species acquired statistically more genes, probably because this growth habit boosts opportunities for transfer into the germline. In addition, the amount of LGT increases with phylogenetic relatedness, which might reflect genomic compatibility amongst close relatives facilitating successful transfers. However, genetic exchanges among highly divergent species with overlapping distributions also occur, pointing to an additional role of biogeography. Overall, we show that LGT is a widespread phenomenon in grasses, which has moved functional genes across the entire grass family into domesticated and wild species alike. The dynamics of successful LGT appears to be dependent on both opportunity (co-occurrence and rhizomes) and compatibility (phylogenetic distance).

中文翻译：

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草间广泛的横向基因转移

横向基因转移（LGT）已在多种原核生物和真核生物中得到证明，并且可以促进适应。在一些植物中已经报道了功能性核基因的LGT，但是需要系统的研究来评估该组中LGT的频率和促进因素。我们扫描了17种草种的基因组，这些草种跨越了超过5000万年的差异，其中包括主要农作物，以识别草到草的蛋白质编码LGT。我们在13种物种中鉴定出LGT，每种物种的数量差异很大。根瘤菌种在统计学上获得了更多的基因，可能是因为这种生长习性增加了向种系转移的机会。另外，LGT的数量随着系统发育相关性的增加而增加，这可能反映了近亲之间的基因组相容性，促进了成功的转移。然而，分布高度重叠的物种之间也发生了遗传交换，这表明了生物地理学的其他作用。总体而言，我们表明LGT是草中的一种普遍现象，已将整个草科中的功能基因转移到了驯化和野生物种中。成功的LGT的动力似乎取决于机会（共生和根茎）和相容性（系统发生距离）。它已经将整个草科的功能基因转移到了驯化和野生物种中。成功的LGT动力似乎取决于机会（共生和根茎）和相容性（系统发生距离）。它已经将整个草科的功能基因转移到了驯化和野生物种中。成功的LGT动力似乎取决于机会（共生和根茎）和相容性（系统发生距离）。