Exchange Of Genetic Information Research Articles

Inferring multi-locus selection in admixed populations.

Admixture, the exchange of genetic information between distinct source populations, is thought to be a major source of adaptive genetic variation. Unlike mutation events, which periodically generate single alleles, admixture can introduce many selected alleles simultaneously. As such, the effects of linkage between selected alleles may be especially pronounced in admixed populations. However, existing tools for identifying selected mutations within admixed populations only account for selection at a single site, overlooking phenomena such as linkage among proximal selected alleles. Here, we develop and extensively validate a method for identifying and quantifying the individual effects of multiple linked selected sites on a chromosome in admixed populations. Our approach numerically calculates the expected local ancestry landscape in an admixed population for a given multi-locus selection model, and then maximizes the likelihood of the model. After applying this method to admixed populations of Drosophila melanogaster and Passer italiae, we found that the impacts between linked sites may be an important contributor to natural selection in admixed populations. Furthermore, for the situations we considered, the selection coefficients and number of selected sites are overestimated in analyses that do not consider the effects of linkage among selected sites. Our results imply that linkage among selected sites may be an important evolutionary force in admixed populations. This tool provides a powerful generalized method to investigate these crucial phenomena in diverse populations.

Population genetics of queen conch, Aliger gigas (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda: Strombidae) at the Cuban island platform

Abstract The queen conch, Aliger gigas is a large marine gastropod mollusc that inhabits shallow seagrass meadows and sandplain habitats throughout the Caribbean. Owing to overfishing and degradation of the environment, it has become an endangered species in most of its habitat. Research on Cuban populations of A. gigas is scarce and mostly focused on conch exploitation. The present study assesses, for the first time, the genetic diversity and population structure of A. gigas from six locations on the Cuban platform, using five microsatellite loci. At most of the sampled locations, the observed heterozygosity was lower than expected and the FIS value was significantly positive, both of which suggest inbreeding. Also, we found evidence of bottlenecks for two of the locations with a deficit of heterozygotes. Although statistically significant, only 1.66% of the total variance was explained by genetic differentiation among populations, and discriminant analysis of principal components showed different degrees of overlapping between all locations. Accordingly, the results showed that there is an extensive and symmetrical exchange of genetic information. Sparse non-negative matrix factorization analysis determined the existence of three ancestral populations admixed across the sampled locations. Thus, our results suggest that A. gigas from the Cuban island platform could be a unique population, which is relevant for management and conservation strategies.

Дальние перемещения мелких млекопитающих в осенне-зимний период

First time in the East Urals radioactive trace zone (EURT) (Chelyabinsk region, Southern Urals) small mammals from natural population with rhodamine B (RB) label, received in last year were revealed. The aim of this study was to estimate long-distance movements (LDM) of small mammals during the autumn–winter season by method of group marking with bait containing RB. One-time ingestion of bait with RB ensures systemic marking, which fixed in keratin-containing structures (hairs, claws, vibrissae). Retention time of RB-label for wood mouse (Sylvaemus uralensis Pallas, 1811) was 338 days, for common shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) – 312 days, for red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus Pallas, 1779) – 251 days. It has allowed for the first time to estimate LDM of wintering individuals during autumn–winter season from EURT zone to adjacent territories and vice versa. It was found that S. uralensis are able to settle within 10800 m, M. rutilus – 9500 m, S. araneus – 9300 m. These data are the maximum recorded distance for these species. There is a predominance of females both among wintering settled animals and distant migrants. Probably LDM of females is evolutionary more favorable to population as they serve as the potential reserve of a genetic variety. LDM provides spatial and functional connectivity of mouse-sized mammal’s populations and possibility of genetic information exchange between population groupings on both the impact and background territories. The technique of group marking with bait containing RB has shown the efficiency at research of spatial structure of small mammals during the autumn-winter period. It is advisable to include it in monitoring system in areas of local technogenic pollution as well as to use it to calibrate samples of animals in the study of remote effects of radiating and other toxic effects.

Comparative analysis of genetic polymorphism in <i>Rhaponticum carthamoides</i> (Asteraceae) populations by ISSR markers in the Altai Republic

Background. Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin (Asteraceae) is a rare species for the Altai Republic (AR). The purpose of this study was to characterize the genetic polymorphism of Rhaponticum carthamoides at the inter- and intrapopulation level in a comparative analysis for subsequent selection of seed samples from the genetically most heterogeneous natural populations of the AR for practical purposes. Materials and methods. The species was studied for ISSR variability in five habitats in the AR. DNA from dried leaves of R. carthamoides was isolated using the STAB method. For testing seventeen ISSR primers were used, seven of which were selected as most informative ones. Results and conclusion. The analysis showed that individual plants from five cenopopulations (CP) were distributed into three groups of similarity on the dendrogram. A separate clade was formed by plant samples from two CPs of the Katun Nature Reserve (KNR). Samples of one of those CPs grew on well-warmed southern slopes and exhibited a higher genetic heterogeneity than the others. The highest intrapopulation and interpopulation similarity in the distribution of DNA fragments was also found in two CPs from habitats with the smallest geographic distance from each other. Representatives of a separate population, least in size and number of individuals in the KNR, showed a high level of similarity in the distribution of DNA fragments. Significantly lower coefficients of genetic similarity with other CPs were found in plants from a small isolated CP from the Shavlinsky Protected Area. It can be assumed that one of the main reasons for the least genetic similarity of this population with others is its location in the immediate vicinity of the foothill at the pass to Achik (Ongudaysky District; absolute height: 2300 masl). This location can be a limiting factor for the exchange of genetic information with individuals from other populations.

Rhometa: Population recombination rate estimation from metagenomic read datasets.

Prokaryotic evolution is influenced by the exchange of genetic information between species through a process referred to as recombination. The rate of recombination is a useful measure for the adaptive capacity of a prokaryotic population. We introduce Rhometa (https://github.com/sid-krish/Rhometa), a new software package to determine recombination rates from shotgun sequencing reads of metagenomes. It extends the composite likelihood approach for population recombination rate estimation and enables the analysis of modern short-read datasets. We evaluated Rhometa over a broad range of sequencing depths and complexities, using simulated and real experimental short-read data aligned to external reference genomes. Rhometa offers a comprehensive solution for determining population recombination rates from contemporary metagenomic read datasets. Rhometa extends the capabilities of conventional sequence-based composite likelihood population recombination rate estimators to include modern aligned metagenomic read datasets with diverse sequencing depths, thereby enabling the effective application of these techniques and their high accuracy rates to the field of metagenomics. Using simulated datasets, we show that our method performs well, with its accuracy improving with increasing numbers of genomes. Rhometa was validated on a real S. pneumoniae transformation experiment, where we show that it obtains plausible estimates of the rate of recombination. Finally, the program was also run on ocean surface water metagenomic datasets, through which we demonstrate that the program works on uncultured metagenomic datasets.

Genetic and Pomological Determination of the Trueness-to-Type of Sweet Cherry Cultivars in the German National Fruit Genebank

Genebank collections preserve many old cultivars with ancient breeding history. However, often, cultivars with synonymous or incorrect names are maintained in multiple collections. Therefore, pomological and genetic characterization is an essential prerequisite for confirming trueness-to-type of cultivars in gene bank collections. In our study, 1442 single sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees of the German Fruit Genebank were evaluated according to their trueness-to-type. For this purpose, pomological analysis was performed, in which the accessions were assigned totheir historical cultivar names. The pomological identifications were based on several historical reference sources, such as fruit references from historical cherry cultivar and fruit-stone collections, as well as historical pomological literature sources. In addition, the cherry trees were genetically analyzed for cultivar identity using 16 SSR markers. Based on pomological characterization and genetic analysis for the majority of the trees (86%), cultivar authenticity could be confirmed. Most markers were highly discriminating and powerful for cultivar identification. The cherry collection showed a high degree of genetic diversity, with an expected heterozygosity He = 0.67. Generally, high genetic admixture between cultivars of different geographic origin and year of origin was obtained after STRUCTURE analysis, demonstrating the extensive exchange of genetic information between cherry cultivars in the collection over time. However, the phylogenetic tree calculated by DARwin reflected the geographic origin of selected cherry cultivars. After parentage analysis with CERVUS, paternity could not be confirmed for three cultivars, indicating the necessity of further pedigree analysis for these cultivars. The results of our study underlined the general importance of evaluating the authenticity of cultivars in genebank collections based on genetic and pomological characterization.

Research progress on horizontal gene transfer and its functions in insects

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) refers to the asexual exchange of genetic information between distantly related organisms. Although it is well acknowledged that HGT greatly contributes to the adaptive evolution in prokaryotes, its significance in shaping the orientation of eukaryote evolution remains obscure, especially in insect lineages. The massively expanded genomic data appears to be an excellent choice to uncover the mystery of HGTs in insects nowadays. Here we gather a body of evidence showing the HGT events from three broad donor origins, viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes, in which most horizontally transferred genes are unlikely to be functional and will be eroded as a result of the difference of inheritable background between insect recipients and donor species. Nevertheless, particular interests in the prominent role of insect HGTs in maintaining and acquiring new functionalities have still been raised to underpin their adaptations. Among these, the previously investigated properties including reproduction regulation, detoxification of plant metabolites, formation of body color, and antimicrobic immunity are mainly included in different insect lineages. Albeit such cases are just the tip of the iceberg, we indeed demonstrate that HGT drives insect evolution, especially in coevolution with host plants, and additional explorations into its functions should be paid special attention to access the complex evolutionary history of insects in the near future.

Identification, characterization, and rescue of CRISPR/Cas9 generated wheat SPO11-1 mutants.

Increasing crop yields through plant breeding is time consuming and laborious, with the generation of novel combinations of alleles being limited by chromosomal linkage blocks and linkage-drag. Meiotic recombination is essential to create novel genetic variation via the reshuffling of parental alleles. The exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes occurs at crossover (CO) sites but CO frequency is often low and unevenly distributed. This bias creates the problem of linkage-drag in recombination 'cold' regions, where undesirable variation remains linked to useful traits. In plants, programmed meiosis-specific DNA double-strand breaks, catalysed by the SPO11 complex, initiate the recombination pathway, although only ~5% result in the formation of COs. To study the role of SPO11-1 in wheat meiosis, and as a prelude to manipulation, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate edits in all three SPO11-1 homoeologues of hexaploid wheat. Characterization of progeny lines shows plants deficient in all six SPO11-1 copies fail to undergo chromosome synapsis, lack COs and are sterile. In contrast, lines carrying a single copy of any one of the three wild-type homoeologues are phenotypically indistinguishable from unedited plants both in terms of vegetative growth and fertility. However, cytogenetic analysis of the edited plants suggests that homoeologues differ in their ability to generate COs and in the dynamics of synapsis. In addition, we show that the transformation of wheat mutants carrying six edited copies of SPO11-1 with the TaSPO11-1B gene, restores synapsis, CO formation, and fertility and hence opens a route to modifying recombination in this agronomically important crop.

M1AP interacts with the mammalian ZZS complex and promotes male meiotic recombination.

Following meiotic recombination, each pair of homologous chromosomes acquires at least one crossover, which ensures accurate chromosome segregation and allows reciprocal exchange of genetic information. Recombination failure often leads to meiotic arrest, impairing fertility, but the molecular basis of recombination remains elusive. Here, we report a homozygous M1AP splicing mutation (c.1074 + 2T > C) in patients with severe oligozoospermia owing to meiotic metaphase I arrest. The mutation abolishes M1AP foci on the chromosome axes, resulting in decreased recombination intermediates and crossovers in male mouse models. M1AP interacts with the mammalian ZZS (an acronym for yeast proteins Zip2-Zip4-Spo16) complex components, SHOC1, TEX11, and SPO16. M1AP localizes to chromosomal axes in a SPO16-dependent manner and colocalizes with TEX11. Ablation of M1AP does not alter SHOC1 localization but reduces the recruitment of TEX11 to recombination intermediates. M1AP shows cytoplasmic localization in fetal oocytes and is dispensable for fertility and crossover formation in female mice. Our study provides the first evidence that M1AP acts as a copartner of the ZZS complex to promote crossover formation and meiotic progression in males.

DNA Nanostructure-Guided Plasmon Coupling Architectures

DNA Nanostructure-Guided Plasmon Coupling Architectures

Premeiotic pairing of homologous chromosomes during Drosophila male meiosis

In the early stages of meiosis, maternal and paternal chromosomes pair with their homologous partner and recombine to ensure exchange of genetic information and proper segregation. These events can vary drastically between species and between males and females of the same species. In Drosophila, in contrast to females, males do not form synaptonemal complexes (SCs), do not recombine, and have no crossing over; yet, males are able to segregate their chromosomes properly. Here, we investigated the early steps of homolog pairing in Drosophila males. We found that homolog centromeres are not paired in germline stem cells (GSCs) and become paired in the mitotic region before meiotic entry, similarly to females. Surprisingly, male germline cells express SC proteins, which localize to centromeres and promote pairing. We further found that the SUN/KASH (LINC) complex and microtubules are required for homolog pairing as in females. Chromosome movements in males, however, are much slower than in females and we demonstrate that this slow dynamic is compensated in males by having longer cell cycles. In agreement, slowing down cell cycles was sufficient to rescue pairing-defective mutants in female meiosis. Our results demonstrate that although meiosis differs significantly between males and females, sex-specific cell cycle kinetics integrate similar molecular mechanisms to achieve proper centromere pairing.

Reconstructing horizontal gene flow network to understand prokaryotic evolution.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major source of phenotypic innovation and a mechanism of niche adaptation in prokaryotes. Quantification of HGT is critical to decipher its myriad roles in microbial evolution and adaptation. Advances in genome sequencing and bioinformatics have augmented our ability to understand the microbial world, particularly the direct or indirect influence of HGT on diverse life forms. Methods for detecting HGT can be classified into phylogenetic-based and parametric or composition-based approaches. Here, we exploited the complementary strengths of both the approaches to construct a high confidence horizontal gene flow network. Our network is unique in its ability to detect the transfer of native genes of a genome to genomes from other taxa, thus establishing donor and recipient organisms (taxa), rather than through a post hoc analysis as is the practice with several other approaches. The scale-free horizontal gene flow network presented here provides new insights into modes of transfer for the exchange of genetic information and also illuminates differential gene flow across phyla.

Biofilm producing Bacillus vallismortis TR01K from tea rhizosphere acting as plant growth promoting agent

Microbial biofilms are an aggregation of single or multi-species bacteria that acquires the capacity to adhere to any surface where they can act like a wholesome system chemically “speaking with” each other through quorum sensing. This synergism is very prominently noticed in the rhizospheric regions of plant roots subsequently forming a dome which can protect the root-rhizospheric niche from various biotic and abiotic stress. The bacterial EPS have a number of roles like adhesion, cohesion and aggregation of soil particles, retaining water molecules, acts as a potential barrier on the rhizospheric regions, facilitating ionic and genetic information exchange within the matrix component, enhanced production of plant readily available nutrients etc. Keeping this scenario in mind, this study was formulated on to isolate and explore novel rhizobacteria with colossal biofilm forming ability showing great potential as a source of lignocellulolytic plant growth promoting agent.The crop chosen for this study was tea or Camellia sinensis, a quintessential beverage that is consumed across the globe. The rhizospheric region of a woody plant like tea, acts as a hub for lignocellulosic enzyme producing bacteria. The novel rhizobacteria isolated from cultivated tea soil, Bacillus vallismortis TR01K [NCBI Genbank Accession Number MT672714], was found to have an immense biofilm forming potential that ranged approximately 40x times higher than normal standard bacterial biofilm forming potentials when tested under laboratory conditions. Further in vitro characterizations of the novel strain showed it's immense potential to make plant nutrient available, to produce plant growth hormones (IAA, GA3, Cytokinin) and produce plant stress mitigating hormone (ACC deaminase). Lignocellulolytic enzymes are a vital part of lignocellulosic biomass degradation-a sustainable biotechnological approach for enzymes, organic acids, feed and biofuel production. The selected bacteria was tested elaborately for the family of lignocellulolytic enzymes (cellulase, laccase, lignin peroxidase, pectinase, amylase, chitinase, beta glucanase etc.) which showed promising results. Thus, proving the entire set of experiments in compliance with the aforementioned hypothesis that the novel bacterial isolate from tea rhizosphere has a significant biofilm forming potential with a colossal potency for being lignocellulolytic plant growth promoting agent.

Rdh54 stabilizes Rad51 at displacement loop intermediates to regulate genetic exchange between chromosomes.

Homologous recombination (HR) is a double-strand break DNA repair pathway that preserves chromosome structure. To repair damaged DNA, HR uses an intact donor DNA sequence located elsewhere in the genome. After the double-strand break is repaired, DNA sequence information can be transferred between donor and recipient DNA molecules through different mechanisms, including DNA crossovers that form between homologous chromosomes. Regulation of DNA sequence transfer is an important step in effectively completing HR and maintaining genome integrity. For example, mitotic exchange of information between homologous chromosomes can result in loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH), and in higher eukaryotes, the development of cancer. The DNA motor protein Rdh54 is a highly conserved DNA translocase that functions during HR. Several existing phenotypes in rdh54Δ strains suggest that Rdh54 may regulate effective exchange of DNA during HR. In our current study, we used a combination of biochemical and genetic techniques to dissect the role of Rdh54 on the exchange of genetic information during DNA repair. Our data indicate that RDH54 regulates DNA strand exchange by stabilizing Rad51 at an early HR intermediate called the displacement loop (D-loop). Rdh54 acts in opposition to Rad51 removal by the DNA motor protein Rad54. Furthermore, we find that expression of a catalytically inactivate allele of Rdh54, rdh54K318R, favors non-crossover outcomes. From these results, we propose a model for how Rdh54 may kinetically regulate strand exchange during homologous recombination.

Social networks in the single cell.

This article comments on: Chustecki JM, Etherington RD, Gibbs DJ, Johnston IG. 2022. Altered collective mitochondrial dynamics in the Arabidopsis msh1 mutant compromising organelle DNA maintenance. Journal of Experimental Botany 73, 5428-5439. Plant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can become damaged in many ways. A major repair mechanism is homologous recombination, which requires an undamaged DNA template. Presumably, this template comes from a different mitochondrion in the same cell. Plant mitochondria undergo fission and fusion to form transient networks which could allow the exchange of genetic information. To test this hypothesis, Chustecki et al. (2022) used msh1 mutants with defective DNA repair, and showed that mitochondrial interactions increased, revealing a link between the physical and genetic behavior of mitochondria.

Detection of Atypical Motile Staphylococcus aureus from Rain Floods

Abstract:
 Heavy rain floods is one of the primary risk factors for human health, and it can significantly
 regulate microbial communities and enhance the transfer of infections within the affected areas. Recently, the flood crisis is becoming one of the severe natural events in Mosul / Iraq. It may continue for months during which samples of accumulated rainwater were collected.
 Twelve Staphylococcus aureus were isolated by using two selective media: Mannitol Salt agar and Vogel-Johnson media in addition to Blood agar. An unusual colony spreading which resembles. "Bacillus colonies in twelve Staphylococcus aureus isolates was observed on Mannitol Salt agar and semisolid nutrient agar. Actively motile cocci in single and cluster arrangements that is not characteristic of brownian movement was shown in wet mount microscopic observation Furthermore, biosurfactant detection by oil spreading method ( oil displacement activity) showed that all isolates demonstrated various degrees of surfactant production which has beeen reported. to be responsible for stimulating "colony spreading" phenomenon in S. aureux. Motility can play a crucial role for survival bacterial species by which they get nutrients, avoid toxins and predators, and genetic information exchange by mating.
 The present study highlights for the first time. Mosul city a motile opportunistic aureus obtained from harvested rainwater samples during high-rainfall periods. Utilization of untreated harvested rainwater could thus offer a significant health threat to consumers, especially children.
 and immunocompromised individuals.

The ER Is a Common Mediator for the Behavior and Interactions of Other Organelles.

Optimal functioning of a plant cell depends upon the efficient exchange of genetic information, ions, proteins and metabolites between the different organelles. Intuitively, increased proximity between organelles would be expected to play an important role in facilitating exchanges between them. However, it remains to be seen whether under normal, relatively non-stressed conditions organelles maintain close proximity at all. Moreover, does interactivity involve direct and frequent physical contact between the different organelles? Further, many organelles transition between spherical and tubular forms or sporadically produce thin tubular extensions, but it remains unclear whether changes in organelle morphology play a role in increasing their interactivity. Here, using targeted multicolored fluorescent fusion proteins, we report observations on the spatiotemporal relationship between plastids, mitochondria, peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum in living plant cells. Under normal conditions of growth, we observe that the smaller organelles do not establish direct, physical contacts with each other but, irrespective of their individual form they all maintain intimate connectivity with the ER. Proximity between organelles does increase in response to stress through concomitant alterations in ER dynamics. Significantly, even under increased proximity the ER still remains sandwiched between the different organelles. Our observations provide strong live-imaging-based evidence for the ER acting as a common mediator in interactions between other organelles.

Lymphoma cell-derived extracellular vesicles inhibit autophagy and apoptosis to promote lymphoma cell growth via the microRNA-106a/Beclin1 axis

ABSTRACT Lymphoma is a common malignant tumor globally. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (Evs) participate in genetic information exchange between tumor cells. We investigated the role and mechanism of human Burkitt lymphoma cells Raji-derived Evs (Raji-Evs) in lymphoma cells. Effects of Evs on lymphoma cell proliferation, invasion, autophagy, and apoptosis were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 method, Transwell assay, laser confocal microscopy, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. microRNA (miR)-106a expression in lymphoma cells was determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and then downregulated in Raji cells and then Evs were isolated (Evs-in-miR-106a) to evaluate its role in lymphoma cell growth. The binding relationship between miR-106a and Beclin1 was verified using RNA pull-down and dual-luciferase assays. Beclin1 was overexpressed in SU-DHL-4 and Farage cells and SU-DHL-4 cell autophagy and apoptosis were detected. The levels of miR-106a and Beclin1 in SU-DHL-4 cells were detected after adding autophagy inhibitors. The tumorigenicity assay in nude mice was performed to validate the effects of Raji-Evs in vivo. Raji-Evs promoted lymphoma cell proliferation and invasion and increased miR-106a. miR-106a knockdown reversed Evs-promoted lymphoma cell proliferation and invasion. miR-106a carried by Raji-Evs targeted Beclin1 expression. Beclin1 overexpression or miR-106a inhibitor reversed the effects of Evs on lymphoma cell autophagy and apoptosis. Autophagy inhibitors elevated miR-106a expression and lowered Beclin1 expression. Raji-Evs-carried miR-106a inhibited Beclin1-dependent autophagy and apoptosis in lymphoma cells, which were further verified in vivo, together with promoted tumor growth. We proved that Raji-Evs inhibited lymphoma cell autophagy and apoptosis and promoted cell growth via the miR-106a/Beclin1 axis.

Meiotic Genes and DNA Double Strand Break Repair in Cancer.

Tumor cells show widespread genetic alterations that change the expression of genes driving tumor progression, including genes that maintain genomic integrity. In recent years, it has become clear that tumors frequently reactivate genes whose expression is typically restricted to germ cells. As germ cells have specialized pathways to facilitate the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes, their aberrant regulation influences how cancer cells repair DNA double strand breaks (DSB). This drives genomic instability and affects the response of tumor cells to anticancer therapies. Since meiotic genes are usually transcriptionally repressed in somatic cells of healthy tissues, targeting aberrantly expressed meiotic genes may provide a unique opportunity to specifically kill cancer cells whilst sparing the non-transformed somatic cells. In this review, we highlight meiotic genes that have been reported to affect DSB repair in cancers derived from somatic cells. A better understanding of their mechanistic role in the context of homology-directed DNA repair in somatic cancers may provide useful insights to find novel vulnerabilities that can be targeted.

INFLUENZA A/H10 VIRUSES OF WILD BIRDS, MAMMALS AND HUMANS

Emerging infectious diseases pose a serious threat to wildlife, domestic animals, and public health. Of the more than 335 human infectious diseases that have emerged over the past six decades, influenza is one of the most common infection, causing up to 650,000 deaths per year. In addition to the annual seasonal influenza A, the emergence of its new, pandemic, and highly pathogenic variant is even more dangerous. This review describes the classification of influenza pathogens, their structural features, and sources of isolation. The latest published data on the structure, ecology, phylogenesis and pathogenicity of influenza A subtype H10 viruses from various host species are summarized. It is noted that the avifauna is not the only possible reservoir for H10 influenza viruses; avian H10N8 infected dogs in China and mink in Scandinavia, and H10N7 caused widespread mortality of seals in the Baltic Sea in 2014. The first three human cases of avian influenza A H10N8 were reported in 2013-2014 in China, one of which lead to mortality. Information is provided on the genetic variability and evolution of influenza A subtype H10 strains circulating in avifaunal, mammalian, and human populations. Influenza A subtype H10 virus is actively evolving by exchange of genetic information. The potential epidemiological hazard of influenza A virus (H10N8) is as a causative agent of a pandemic, and the need to control its circulation in populations of birds, mammals and among the people is emphasized.