Mechanism of successful horizontal gene transfer between divergent organisms explained

Researchers have shown how a host’s gene regulatory environment can facilitate the establishment of a gene newly arrived via horizontal transfer. Studying the cellulose synthase gene in ascidians, originally derived from actinobacteria, the team showed that a GC-rich AP-2 binding site upstream of this gene must have been key to it becoming established. This enabled its epidermis-specific expression and now-essential involvement in forming a protective coating.