Genes are not only passed from parent to child. As researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen have now shown, some are mobile and can even jump to other species. Direct observation of jumping genes provides the first evidence that such genes can be transmitted from one species to another, from predator to prey.
Gene jumps accelerate evolution
Jumping genes are parasitic in the genetic material of bacteria, plants, animals, and humans. They are released into the cell as small RNA molecules from ribonucleic acid (RNA) and have complex machinery for insertion into other parts of the genetic material within the cell, often giving the cell new properties and thereby accelerating evolution. There are also jump genes that use RNA enzymes to free themselves from RNA. These ribozymes or self-splicing introns are a special group of jump genes.
It is more difficult for genes to jump into another cell or another species. Phylogenetic analysis of the genes indicates that such a jump occurred. Previously, it was thought that for this to happen, the jump gene traveled as a “hitchhiker” within the genome of a plasmid or virus. Now, Jens Harder and his colleagues made a surprising observation.
Orange-scented anaerobic community
Unusual communities were present in the concentrates of slowly growing, methane (biogas) producing bacteria and archaea. The most abundant members were very small predatory bacteria. candidate Veramenicoccus archaeovorus feeds on microorganisms that break down limonene, the scent of oranges, into methane and carbon dioxide. individual cells within a filament Methanothrix songeniThey, the most important methanogens on the planet, are dead.
It was done Ca. Is the cause of death Veramenicoccus archaeovorus? To check this, Ca. Velamenicoccus Archaeovorus must be detected in dead cells.
In search of intron RNA
While analyzing the genome, Ca. Veramenicoccus archaeovulus, Jens Harder discovered the jump gene, the intron. Intronic RNA had never been observed outside cells before, and for that very reason, Jens Harder decided to look for introns in the cellular prey. Ca. Belamenicoccus archaeovorus.
The Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology has developed a suitable method that can detect small amounts of RNA inside bacterial cells. Following the development of specific nucleic acid probes, microscopic images revealed the presence of intronic RNA within living cells. Ca. Veramenicoccus archaeovorus and inside its dead cells Methanothrix songeni.
Caught red-handed? Yes, it was while the intron was trying to replicate. However, the intron carrier Ca.Velamenicoccus Archaeovorus had already killed its new host. Thus the attempt ended with a jump into an empty cell.
stable RNA
Ribonucleic acid is the messenger of living cells. These are long-chain molecules that carry the cell’s blueprint from the genetic material to the protein factories and are broken down very quickly from the ends. Dead cells usually do not contain ribonucleic acid.
However, the survival of intronic RNA within cells is not surprising because introns form circular RNAs without open ends that are resistant to degrading enzymes.
The stability of ring-shaped intronic RNAs is a unique feature. In humans, circular RNA molecules influence many metabolic processes, and their role in tumor development is currently the subject of intensive research. For example, applications in RNA vaccines against the coronavirus and certain forms of cancer are also in the pipeline. Our study showed that in microorganisms, jumping genes can be transferred to other species via circular RNA. ”
Jens Harder
sauce:
Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
Reference magazines:
Kijina, J.et al. (2026). Mobile intronic RNA from bacterial predators accumulates in dead archaeal cells. scientific report. Doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-51721-6 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-51721-6
