---
res:
  bibo_abstract:
  - Entire chromosomes are typically only transmitted vertically from one generation
    to the next. The horizontal transfer of such chromosomes has long been considered
    improbable, yet gained recent support in several pathogenic fungi where it may
    affect the fitness or host specificity. To date, it is unknown how these transfers
    occur, how common they are and whether they can occur between different species.
    In this study, we show multiple independent instances of horizontal transfers
    of the same accessory chromosome between two distinct strains of the asexual entomopathogenic
    fungus<jats:italic>Metarhizium robertsii</jats:italic>during experimental co-infection
    of its insect host, the Argentine ant. Notably, only the one chromosome – but
    no other – was transferred from the donor to the recipient strain. The recipient
    strain, now harboring the accessory chromosome, exhibited a competitive advantage
    under certain host conditions. By phylogenetic analysis we further demonstrate
    that the same accessory chromosome was horizontally transferred in a natural environment
    between<jats:italic>M. robertsii</jats:italic>and another congeneric insect pathogen,<jats:italic>M.
    guizhouense</jats:italic>. Hence horizontal chromosome transfer is not limited
    to the observed frequent events within species during experimental infections
    but also occurs naturally across species. The transferred accessory chromosome
    contains genes that might be involved in its preferential horizontal transfer,
    encoding putative histones and histone-modifying enzymes, but also putative virulence
    factors that may support its establishment. Our study reveals that both intra-
    and interspecies horizontal transfer of entire chromosomes is more frequent than
    previously assumed, likely representing a not uncommon mechanism for gene exchange.</jats:p><jats:sec><jats:title>Significance
    Statement</jats:title><jats:p>The enormous success of bacterial pathogens has
    been attributed to their ability to exchange genetic material between one another.
    Similarly, in eukaryotes, horizontal transfer of genetic material allowed the
    spread of virulence factors across species. The horizontal transfer of whole chromosomes
    could be an important pathway for such exchange of genetic material, but little
    is known about the origin of transferable chromosomes and how frequently they
    are exchanged. Here, we show that the transfer of accessory chromosomes - chromosomes
    that are non-essential but may provide fitness benefits - is common during fungal
    co-infections and is even possible between distant pathogenic species, highlighting
    the importance of horizontal gene transfer via chromosome transfer also for the
    evolution and function of eukaryotic pathogens.@eng
  bibo_authorlist:
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Michael
      foaf_name: Habig, Michael
      foaf_surname: Habig
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Anna V
      foaf_name: Grasse, Anna V
      foaf_surname: Grasse
      foaf_workInfoHomepage: http://www.librecat.org/personId=406F989C-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Judith
      foaf_name: Müller, Judith
      foaf_surname: Müller
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Eva H.
      foaf_name: Stukenbrock, Eva H.
      foaf_surname: Stukenbrock
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Hanna
      foaf_name: Leitner, Hanna
      foaf_surname: Leitner
      foaf_workInfoHomepage: http://www.librecat.org/personId=8fc5c6f6-5903-11ec-abad-c83f046253e7
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Sylvia
      foaf_name: Cremer, Sylvia
      foaf_surname: Cremer
      foaf_workInfoHomepage: http://www.librecat.org/personId=2F64EC8C-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
    orcid: 0000-0002-2193-3868
  bibo_doi: 10.1073/pnas.2316284121
  bibo_issue: '11'
  bibo_volume: 121
  dct_date: 2024^xs_gYear
  dct_identifier:
  - UT:001207630200005
  dct_isPartOf:
  - http://id.crossref.org/issn/0027-8424
  - http://id.crossref.org/issn/1091-6490
  dct_language: eng
  dct_publisher: National Academy of Sciences@
  dct_title: Frequent horizontal chromosome transfer between asexual fungal insect
    pathogens@
  fabio_hasPubmedId: '38442176'
...