Talk:Horizontal gene transfer

The section "Main mechanisms of gene transfer in eukaryotes" does not actually mention anything about mechanisms. Instead, it is a table which is taken directly from M. Syvanen HORIZONTAL GENE TRANSFER: Evidence and Possible Consequences Ann. Rev. Genet. 1994.28:237- 61 without any citation.

As is clear from that paper, these are just some possible cases. The author does not actually think all of these cases are supported so calling them "documented" is wrong. For example, the fourth example of cytochrome c in Arabidopsis (which is what brought me to the page) is problematic. The original authors do not even specifically mention horizontal gene transfer, the case is questioned by the author and A. Hudson "Fungal cytochrome c genes from plants" J. Mol. Evol. 1995. 41(6): 1170 argues that the result was just due to sample contamination.

If for some reason the page should have a list of cases of transfers involving eukaryotes (I don't see why it should) J. O. Andersson's Review "Lateral gene transfer in eukaryotes" CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 62 (2005) 1182–1197 DOI 10.1007/s00018-005-4539-z has a much better and newer list. I am sure it wouldn't be hard to further further cases as well.

--Jdvelasc 17:38, 16 November 2009 (EST)