Scientists at the University of California have discovered a number of previously unknown microorganisms that are constantly mutating. This ability is given to them by a genetic mechanism called diversity-generating retroelements (DGRs). The research results are published in the journal Nature Microbiology. The site EurekAlert! Tells briefly about the work.
Traces of tiny organisms were found in an aquifer in Colorado during DNA analysis of water samples. Scientists isolated genomes from the environment, one part of which belonged to archaea, and the other to bacteria. Many of them contained retroelements that contribute to the occurrence of mutations in certain genes.
According to scientists, the detected microorganisms are very small, even compared to a medium-sized bacteria. They contain a minimum of genetic information that allows them to lead a symbiotic or parasitic lifestyle. The small size of the genome reduces the ability of a living creature to adapt to a new environment, but DGRs compensate for this shortcoming. This may explain why a wide variety of protein sets are found in organisms with DGR.
However, the researchers admit that retroelements can not only change the DNA sequence coding for proteins, but deactivate genes, facilitating their further removal from DNA. It also allows organisms to adapt.
