Possible Horizontal Gene Transfer of Novel Transposable Elements in <i>Anisakis simplex</i> between Hosts and Parasites.

Abstract

<i>Tc1</i> / <i>mariner</i> transposons found in salmoniform fish have been identified in both closely and distantly related fish species, suggesting that horizontal gene transfer may have occurred. However, the vectors of this process remain unknown. We identified two homologous sequences in the parasitic nematode <i>Anisakis simplex</i> , naming them <i>Tas1</i> ( T ransposable element of <i>A nisakis s implex</i> number 1 ) and <i>Tas2</i> . These elements encode <i>Tc1</i> / <i>mariner</i> transposases structurally similar to the active <i>Sleeping Beauty</i> transposase. Furthermore, <i>Tas1</i> / <i>2</i> were also identified in organisms that serve as hosts for <i>Anisakis</i> . These findings suggest that <i>Tas1</i> / <i>2</i> may have undergone horizontal gene transfer within host-parasite interactions.