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Sanchez-Gallardo R, Bottacini F, Friess L, Esteban-Torres M, Somers C, Moore RL, McAuliffe FM, Cotter PD, van Sinderen D. Unveiling metabolic pathways of selected plant-derived glycans by Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1414471. [PMID: 39081887 PMCID: PMC11286577 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1414471] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria are commonly encountered members of the human gut microbiota that possess the enzymatic machinery necessary for the metabolism of certain plant-derived, complex carbohydrates. In the current study we describe differential growth profiles elicited by a panel of 21 newly isolated Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum strains on various plant-derived glycans. Using a combination of gene-trait matching and comparative genome analysis, we identified two distinct xylanases responsible for the degradation of xylan. Furthermore, three distinct extracellular α-amylases were shown to be involved in starch degradation by certain strains of B. pseudocatenulatum. Biochemical characterization showed that all three α-amylases can cleave the related substrates amylose, amylopectin, maltodextrin, glycogen and starch. The genes encoding these enzymes are variably found in the species B. pseudocatenulatum, therefore constituting a strain-specific adaptation to the gut environment as these glycans constitute common plant-derived carbohydrates present in the human diet. Overall, our study provides insights into the metabolism of these common dietary carbohydrates by a human-derived bifidobacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Sanchez-Gallardo
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Francesca Bottacini
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | - Lisa Friess
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Maria Esteban-Torres
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Clarissa Somers
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Rebecca L. Moore
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala M. McAuliffe
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul D. Cotter
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Teagasc Food Research Centre Moorepark, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Argentini C, Lugli GA, Tarracchini C, Fontana F, Mancabelli L, Viappiani A, Anzalone R, Angelini L, Alessandri G, Bianchi MG, Taurino G, Bussolati O, Milani C, van Sinderen D, Turroni F, Ventura M. Ecology- and genome-based identification of the Bifidobacterium adolescentis prototype of the healthy human gut microbiota. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0201423. [PMID: 38294252 PMCID: PMC10880601 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02014-23] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria are among the first microbial colonizers of the human gut, being frequently associated with human health-promoting activities. In the current study, an in silico methodology based on an ecological and phylogenomic-driven approach allowed the selection of a Bifidobacterium adolescentis prototype strain, i.e., B. adolescentis PRL2023, which best represents the overall genetic content and functional features of the B. adolescentis taxon. Such features were confirmed by in vitro experiments aimed at evaluating the ability of this strain to survive in the gastrointestinal tract of the host and its ability to interact with human intestinal cells and other microbial gut commensals. In this context, co-cultivation of B. adolescentis PRL2023 and several gut commensals revealed various microbe-microbe interactions and indicated co-metabolism of particular plant-derived glycans, such as xylan.IMPORTANCEThe use of appropriate bacterial strains in experimental research becomes imperative in order to investigate bacterial behavior while mimicking the natural environment. In the current study, through in silico and in vitro methodologies, we were able to identify the most representative strain of the Bifidobacterium adolescentis species. The ability of this strain, B. adolescentis PRL2023, to cope with the environmental challenges imposed by the gastrointestinal tract, together with its ability to switch its carbohydrate metabolism to compete with other gut microorganisms, makes it an ideal choice as a B. adolescentis prototype and a member of the healthy microbiota of adults. This strain possesses a genetic blueprint appropriate for its exploitation as a candidate for next-generation probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Argentini
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Andrea Lugli
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Tarracchini
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federico Fontana
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- GenProbio srl, Parma, Italy
| | - Leonardo Mancabelli
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Giulia Alessandri
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano G. Bianchi
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Laboratory of General Pathology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Taurino
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Laboratory of General Pathology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ovidio Bussolati
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Laboratory of General Pathology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Christian Milani
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- APC Microbiome Institute and School of Microbiology, Bioscience Institute, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Francesca Turroni
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Ventura
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Roager HM, Stanton C, Hall LJ. Microbial metabolites as modulators of the infant gut microbiome and host-microbial interactions in early life. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2192151. [PMID: 36942883 PMCID: PMC10038037 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2192151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of infant gut microbiome is a pivotal process affecting the ecology and function of the microbiome, as well as host health. While the establishment of the infant microbiome has been of interest for decades, the focus on gut microbial metabolism and the resulting small molecules (metabolites) has been rather limited. However, technological and computational advances are now enabling researchers to profile the plethora of metabolites in the infant gut, allowing for improved understanding of how gut microbial-derived metabolites drive microbiome community structuring and host-microbial interactions. Here, we review the current knowledge on development of the infant gut microbiota and metabolism within the first year of life, and discuss how these microbial metabolites are key for enhancing our basic understanding of interactions during the early life developmental window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik M. Roager
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Catherine Stanton
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Lindsay J. Hall
- Gut Microbes & Health, Quadram Institute Biosciences, Norwich, UK
- Intestinal Microbiome, School of Life Sciences, ZIEL – Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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The Resemblance between Bacterial Gut Colonization in Pigs and Humans. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091831. [PMID: 36144433 PMCID: PMC9500663 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thorough understanding of the initial colonization process of human intestines is important to optimize the prevention of microbiota-associated diseases, and also to further improve the current microbial therapies. In recent years, therefore, colonization of the human gut has gained renewed interest. However, due to a lack of standardization of life events that might influence this early colonization process in humans, many generally accepted insights are based on deduction and assumption. In our review, we compare knowledge on colonization in humans with research in piglets, because the intestinal tract of pigs is remarkably similar to that of humans and the early-life events are more standardized. We assess potential similarities and challenge some concepts that have been widely accepted in human microbiota research. Bacterial colonization of the human gut is characterized by successive waves in a progressive process, to a complex gut microbiota community. After re-analyzing available data from piglets, we found that the bacterial colonization process is very similar in terms of the wave sequence and functionality of each wave. Moreover, based on the piglet data, we found that, in addition to external factors such as suckling and nutrition, the bacterial community itself appears to have a major influence on the colonization success of additional bacteria in the intestine. Thus, the colonization process in piglets might rely, at least in part, on niche dependency, an ecological principle to be considered in the intestinal colonization process in humans.
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