Horizontal gene transfers in insects

•Majority of exogenous sequences in insect genomes seem to be of Wolbachia origin.•Most of the horizontally acquired sequences appear to be non-functional in insects.•Some genes are truly expressed and confer novel functions on the recipient insects.•Horizontal gene transfers facilitate obligate mutualisms between insects and bacteria.

Horizontal gene transfer is the transfer of genetic material across species boundaries. Although horizontal gene transfers are relatively rare in animals, the recent rapid accumulation of genomic data has identified increasing amounts of exogenous DNA inserts in insect genomes. Most of the horizontally acquired sequences appear to be non-functional; however, there is growing evidence that some genes are truly expressed and confer novel functions on the recipient insects. These include previously unavailable metabolic properties including digesting food, degrading toxins, providing resistance to pathogens, and facilitating an obligate mutualistic relationship with intracellular bacteria. A recent analysis revealed that an aphid gene of bacterial origin encodes a protein that is transported into the obligate symbiont, paralleling the evolution of endosymbiotic organelles.