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du Preez LL, van der Walt E, Valverde A, Rothmann C, Neser FWC, Cason ED. A metagenomic survey of the fecal microbiome of the African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana). Anim Genet 2024; 55:621-643. [PMID: 38923598 DOI: 10.1111/age.13458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest terrestrial animal on Earth and is found primarily in Southern and Eastern Africa. It is a hindgut, colonic fermenter and subsists on a diet of raw plant materials found in its grazing area. In this study the bacterial, archaeal and fungal populations of seven African savanna elephant fecal metagenomes were first characterized using amplicon sequencing. On the genus level it was observed that the p-1088-a5 gut group in the bacteriome, Methanocorpusulum and Methanobrevibacter in the archaeome and Alternaria, Aurobasidium, Didymella and Preussia in the mycome, predominated. Subsequently, metagenomic shotgun sequencing was employed to identify possible functional pathways and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Carbohydrate catabolic pathways represented the main degradation pathways, and the fecal metagenome was enriched in the glycohydroside (GH) class of CAZymes. Additionally, the top GH families identified - GH43, GH2, GH13 and GH3 - are known to be associated with cellulytic, hemicellulytic and pectolytic activities. Finally, the CAZymes families identified in the African savanna elephant were compared with those found in the Asian elephant and it was demonstrated that there is a unique repository of CAZymes that could be leveraged in the biotechnological context such as the degradation of lignocellulose for the production of second-generation biofuels and energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Lategan du Preez
- Department of Animal Science, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - Elzette van der Walt
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - Angel Valverde
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Christopher Rothmann
- Department of Animal Science, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | | | - Errol Duncan Cason
- Department of Animal Science, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
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Gao C, Koko MY, Hong W, Gankhuyag J, Hui M, Gantumur MA, Dong N. Protective Properties of Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Supplementation on the Intestinal Barrier: Interactions and Effects. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:27-45. [PMID: 37964463 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The intestinal barrier is critical for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, and its dysfunction is associated with various diseases. Recent findings have revealed the multifunctional role of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) in diverse biological processes, including gut health maintenance and function. This review summarizes the protective effects of IAP on intestinal barrier integrity, encompassing the physical, chemical, microbial, and immune barriers. We discuss the results and insights from in vitro, animal model, and clinical studies as well as the available evidence regarding the impact of diet on IAP activity and expression. IAP can also be used as an indicator to assess intestinal-barrier-related diseases. Further research into the mechanisms of action and long-term health effects of IAP in maintaining overall intestinal health is essential for its future use as a dietary supplement or functional component in medical foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenzhe Gao
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China 150030
- College of Food, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China 150030
| | - Marwa Yagoub Koko
- College of Food, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China 150030
| | - Weichen Hong
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China 150030
| | - Javzan Gankhuyag
- College of Food, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China 150030
| | - Mizhou Hui
- College of Food, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China 150030
| | - Munkh-Amgalan Gantumur
- College of Food, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China 150030
| | - Na Dong
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China 150030
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Bensch HM, Lundin D, Tolf C, Waldenström J, Zöttl M. Environmental effects rather than relatedness determine gut microbiome similarity in a social mammal. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:1753-1760. [PMID: 37584218 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
In social species, group members commonly show substantial similarity in gut microbiome composition. Such similarities have been hypothesized to arise either by shared environmental effects or by host relatedness. However, disentangling these factors is difficult, because group members are often related, and social groups typically share similar environmental conditions. In this study, we conducted a cross-foster experiment under controlled laboratory conditions in group-living Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis) and used 16S amplicon sequencing to disentangle the effects of the environment and relatedness on gut microbiome similarity and diversity. Our results show that a shared environment is the main factor explaining gut microbiome similarity, overshadowing any effect of host relatedness. Together with studies in wild animal populations, our results suggest that among conspecifics environmental factors are more powerful drivers of gut microbiome composition similarity than host genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M Bensch
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
| | - Daniel Lundin
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Conny Tolf
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Jonas Waldenström
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Markus Zöttl
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMIS), Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
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Shah T, Hou Y, Jiang J, Shah Z, Wang Y, Li Q, Xu X, Wang Y, Wang B, Xia X. Comparative analysis of the intestinal microbiome in Rattus norvegicus from different geographies. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1283453. [PMID: 38029126 PMCID: PMC10655115 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1283453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rat species Rattus norvegicus, also known as the brown street rat, is the most abundant mammal after humans in urban areas, where they co-exist with humans and domestic animals. The reservoir role of R. norvegicus of zoonotic pathogens in cities among rodent-borne diseases that could endanger the lives of humans and other mammals. Therefore, understanding the normal microbiome of R. norvegicus is crucial for understanding and preventing zoonotic pathogen transmission to humans and animals. We investigated the intestinal microbiome of free-living R. norvegicus collected from the Ruili, Nujiang, and Lianhe regions of Yunnan, China, using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were abundant in the intestines of R. norvegicus; however, bacterial compositions varied significantly between samples from different locations. Following a similar trend, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Clostridia were among the top bacterial classes in most intestinal samples. The situation differed slightly for the Lianhe and Nujiang samples, although Phyla Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota were most prevalent. The Alpha diversity, Chao1, and Simpson indexes revealed microbial richness among the R. norvegicus samples. A slight variation was observed among the samples collected from Ruili, Nujiang, and Lianhe. At species levels, several opportunistic and zoonotic bacterial pathogens, including Lactococcus garvieae, Uruburuella suis, Bartonella australis, Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus azizii, Vibrio vulnificus, etc., were revealed in the R. norvegicus intestines, implying the need for a regular survey to monitor and control rodent populations. In conclusion, we explored diverse microbial communities in R. norvegicus intestines captured from different regions. Further, we identified several opportunistic and potential bacterial pathogens, which still need to be tested for their underlying pathogenesis. The findings of our current study should be considered a warning to the health authorities to implement rat control and surveillance strategies globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taif Shah
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yutong Hou
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jinyong Jiang
- Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Vector Biology and Control & Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases Control and Research of Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yunnan, China
| | - Zahir Shah
- College of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Yuhan Wang
- Research Institute of Forest Protection, Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qian Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Vector Biology and Control & Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases Control and Research of Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yunnan, China
| | - Yixuan Wang
- Research Institute of Forest Protection, Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Binghui Wang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Marcolla CS, Ju T, Lantz HL, Willing BP. Investigating the cecal microbiota of broilers raised in extensive and intensive production systems. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0235223. [PMID: 37754552 PMCID: PMC10581045 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02352-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Intensive broiler production practices are structured to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens; however, they can potentially minimize the exposure of broilers to beneficial commensal bacteria. In this study, we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to characterize the cecal microbiota of 35-day-old broilers from 22 independent commercial farms rearing broilers under intensive (IPS) or extensive production systems (EPS). We aimed to determine which bacteria are normal inhabitants of the broiler ceca and which bacteria might be missing from broilers in IPS. In addition, we generated a collection of 410 bacterial isolates, including 87 different species, to be used as a resource to further explore the effects of selected isolates on bird physiology and to elucidate the role of individual species within the cecal microbial community. Our results indicated significant differences in the microbiota of broilers between systems: the microbiota of broilers from EPS was dominated by Bacteroidetes {55.2% ± 8.9 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)]}, whereas Firmicutes dominated the microbiota of broilers from IPS (61.7% ± 14.4, mean ± SD). Bacterial taxa found to be core in the EPS microbiota, including Olsenella, Alistipes, Bacteroides, Barnesiella, Parabacteroides, Megamonas, and Parasutterella, were shown to be infrequent or absent from the IPS microbiota, and the EPS microbiota presented higher phylogenetic diversity and greater predicted functional potential than that of broilers in IPS. The bacteria shown to be depleted in broilers from IPS should be further investigated for their effects on bird physiology and potential application as next-generation probiotics. IMPORTANCE Production practices in intensive farming systems significantly reduce the introduction and spread of pathogens; however, they may potentially minimize the exposure of animals to beneficial commensal microorganisms. In this study, we identified core bacteria from the cecal microbiota of broilers raised in extensive production systems that are missing or reduced in birds from intensive systems, including Olsenella, Alistipes, Bacteroides, Barnesiella, Parabacteroides, Megamonas, and Parasutterella. Furthermore, the cecal microbiota of broilers from extensive systems showed higher diversity and greater functional potential than that of broilers from intensive systems. In addition, a collection of bacterial isolates containing 87 different species was generated from the current study, and this important resource can be used to further explore the role of selected commensal bacteria on the microbial community and bird physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila S. Marcolla
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Tingting Ju
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Hannah L. Lantz
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Benjamin P. Willing
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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