HGTector

HGTector detects putative horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events genome-wide by analyzing sequence homology search hit distribution statistics to distinguish horizontal from vertical inheritance.

Key Features:

• Systematic analysis of BLAST hit distribution: Analyzes the distribution patterns of BLAST hits within predefined hierarchical evolutionary categories to identify genes with atypical patterns suggestive of HGT.
• Statistical thresholds: Applies statistically determined thresholds to pinpoint genes whose hit distributions deviate from expected vertical inheritance.
• Robustness against stochastic events: Demonstrates insensitivity to confounding factors such as gene loss, rate variation, and database errors based on testing.
• Automated pipeline: Implements the analysis as an automated computational pipeline for genome-wide processing.

Scientific Applications:

• Genome-wide HGT detection: Detects candidate HGT-derived genes across complete genomes for microbial genomics studies.
• Phylogenetic history analysis: Supports identification of genes with putative horizontal origins to inform gene-level phylogenetic investigations.
• Validation and benchmarking: Enables evaluation of HGT-detection sensitivity and robustness using simulated and real genomic datasets, including Rickettsia genomes.

Methodology:

Analyzes sequence homology search (BLAST) hit distribution statistics within predefined hierarchical evolutionary categories, applies statistically determined thresholds, and is implemented as an automated pipeline validated on simulated and real genomic datasets including Rickettsia genomes.