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This research investigates how post-translational modifier (PTM) systems transferred via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) affect host proteins.

February 2, 2026BMC Biology0 citationsOpen Access

Horizontal transfer of post-translational modifiers brings evolutionary opportunity and challenges to a conserved translation factor

TBTess E. BrewerSwiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology PKPavel KielkowskiMedigene (Germany)JSJingzhi StritzelLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Key Points

This research investigates how post-translational modifier (PTM) systems transferred via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) affect host proteins.
Analyzed the impact of different ef-p variants affected by off-target rhamnosylation.
Evaluated both the beneficial and detrimental effects of these modifications on EF-P function.
Different ef-p variants exhibited diverse responses to off-target rhamnosylation.
Some rhamnosylation reactions introduced novel, active PTMs, while others impaired EF-P function.
Complexity in gene integration and functional compatibility was emphasized.

Abstract

Our findings highlight that PTM systems introduced via HGT can have varied effects on host proteins. We found that different EF-P variants are impacted in different ways by off-target rhamnosylation. While some of these off-target reactions may present opportunities to develop novel, catalytically active PTMs, others are detrimental to the function of the modified EF-P. Our results emphasize the complexity of gene integration and functional compatibility in foreign genomic contexts.

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