Vertebrates received genes for vision from bacteria, finds study
A gene involved in vertebrate vision, IBRP, traced back to bacteria.
The transfer occurred 500 million years ago to the ancestor of all vertebrates.
Mutated versions of IBRP gene lead to various retinal diseases.
IBRP gene's protein sequence is most similar to a bacterial protein called peptidases.
The transfer likely occurred through interdomain horizontal gene transfer.
Researchers performed a phylogenetic reconstruction to understand the origin of IBRP.
The study identified two additional independent instances of the transfer of bacterial peptidase genes into eukaryotes.
The bacteria that transferred its gene to vertebrates could not be identified.
Bacterial genes provide evolutionary novelty to eukaryotes, including components of antiviral and antibacterial immunity and adaptation to environmental stress.