BREMEN — Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology observed a jumping gene transferring from one microbial species to another. The gene transfer occurred from the predatory bacterium Candidatus Velamenicoccus archaeovorus to its prey, Methanothrix soehngenii.

Microscopic imaging confirmed the transfer by detecting intron RNA in both living cells of Candidatus Velamenicoccus archaeovorus and dead cells of Methanothrix soehngenii. The intron RNA was found replicating inside dead prey cells after the predator bacterium had killed the host.

Jens Harder, a scientist involved in the study, identified an intron jumping gene in the genome of Candidatus Velamenicoccus archaeovorus. Jumping genes are mobile genetic elements present in the genetic material of living organisms, including bacteria, plants, animals, and humans. These genes can insert themselves into different parts of a cell's genetic material and can confer new properties on the cell.

To track the transfer, researchers developed specific nucleic acid probes capable of detecting intron RNA within microbial cells. Self-splicing introns are a particular group of jumping genes that detach themselves from RNA using an RNA enzyme. Intron RNA forms a circular structure that lacks open ends and is resistant to degradative enzymes.

Previous scientific hypotheses suggested that inter-species gene transfer happened through mechanisms like hitchhiking on plasmids or viruses. The predator consumes microorganisms responsible for converting limonene into methane and carbon dioxide. Harder said, "Our study has shown that in microorganisms jumping genes can be transferred to other species via their circular RNA." The findings of the study were published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2026, with J. Kizina as the lead author.

No independent assessment was available for this report.