Horizontal transfer of nuclear DNA in transmissible cancer
Abstract
Horizontal transfer of nuclear DNA between cells of host and cancer is a potential source of adaptive variation in cancer cells. An understanding of the frequency and significance of this process in naturally occurring tumors is, however, lacking. We screened for this phenomenon in the transmissible cancers of dogs and Tasmanian devils and found an instance in the canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT). This involved introduction of a 15-megabase dicentric genetic element, composed of 11 fragments of six chromosomes, to a CTVT sublineage occurring in Asia around 2,000 y ago. The element forms the short arm of a small submetacentric chromosome and derives from a dog with ancestry associated with the ancient Middle East. The introduced DNA fragment is transcriptionally active and has adopted the expression profile of CTVT. Its features suggest that it may derive from an engulfed apoptotic body. Our findings indicate that nuclear horizontal gene transfer, although likely a rare event in tumor evolution, provides a viable mechanism for the acquisition of genetic material in naturally occurring cancer genomes.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (41)
Kevin Gori
Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Adrian Baez-Ortega
Andrea Strakova
Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Maximilian R. Stammnitz
Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Jinhong Wang
Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Jonathan Chan
Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Katherine Hughes
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Sophia Belkhir
Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Maurine Hammel
Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Daniela Moralli
Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford
James Bancroft
Cellular Imaging Core Facility, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford
Edward Drydale
Cellular Imaging Core Facility, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford
Karen M. Allum
World Vets
María Verónica Brignone
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Buenos Aires
Anne M. Corrigan
School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University
Karina F. de Castro
Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University
Edward M. Donelan
Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities
Ibikunle A. Faramade
National Veterinary Research Institute
Alison Hayes
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Nataliia Ignatenko
Veterinary Clinic Zoovetservis
Rockson Karmacharya
Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd.
Debbie Koenig
World Vets
Marta Lanza-Perea
School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University
Adriana M. Lopez Quintana
Lopez Quintana Veterinary Clinic
Michael Meyer
Winifred Neunzig
World Vets
Francisco Pedraza-Ordoñez
Laboratorio de Patología Veterinaria, Universidad de Caldas
Yoenten Phuentshok
PelGyal Solutions
Karma Phuntsho
National Veterinary Hospital
Juan C. Ramirez-Ante
Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias, Corporación Universitaria Santa Rosa de Cabal
John F. Reece
Help in Suffering
Sheila K. Schmeling
Corozal Veterinary Clinic
Sanjay Singh
Help in Suffering
Lester J. Tapia Martinez
World Vets Latin America Veterinary Training Center
Marian Taulescu
Department of Anatomic Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine
Samir Thapa
Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre
Sunil Thapa
Animal Nepal
Mirjam G. van der Wel
Animal Anti Cruelty League
Alvaro S. Wehrle-Martinez
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of Asuncion
Michael R. Stratton
Elizabeth P. Murchison
Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge