The pangenome concept: a unifying view of genetic information.

A way of viewing the genetic information in all organisms on Earth as constituents of the Pangenome is proposed. According to this concept, the Pangenome is the common (collective) genetic system of all living organisms, the organic molecules and their complexes (DNA- and RNA-containing viruses, plasmids, transposons, insertion sequences) involved in the storage and transmission processes of genetic information. Pangenomic stability and variability are discussed. This concept alerts to the inherent fluidity and transmissibility of DNA among organisms of all types, including horizontal gene transfer between closely related and formally unrelated macro- and microorganisms. The roles of death and of all known food chains as universal ways of gene distribution among different organisms are discussed. The contribution of bacteria and viruses in maintaining the circulation of genes within the Pangenome is presented. This concept implies that newly emerging genes are not bound to disappear together with the death of an organism or the extinction of a species and microorganisms are the main pool of genes. Some negative aspects of the intervention of molecular genetics, biotechnology, and ecology, including the spread of transgenic plants and animals, are summarized. It is shown that this concept may be used in medicine for the prognosis of an epidemic situation, particularly newly spreading pathogens, and for the development of new methods for the prophylaxis and early diagnosis of oncologic diseases. This concept can also help to find promising approaches to the discovery of drugs with novel principles of action.