The impact of horizontal gene transfer in shaping operons and protein interaction networks – direct evidence of preferential attachment

摘要: Despite the prevalence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria, to this date there were few studies on HGT context expression, operons and protein-protein interactions. Using recently available data set E. coli interaction network, we sought explore impact genome structure protein networks. We classified genes into three categories based their evolutionary conservation: a 2158 Core that are shared by all strains, 1044 Non-core strain-specific, 1053 putatively acquired transfer. observed clear correlation between expressivity (measured Codon Adaptation Index), rates, node connectivity these genes. Specifically, found most highly expressed slowly evolving, while at lowest level evolve highest rate. likely least be member operons. In addition, average more connected than however displayed significantly higher mean degree defence COG functional category. Interestingly, expected chance, which suggest model differential attachment expansion cellular Results from our analysis shed light mode mechanism integration horizontally transferred