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Genetic strategies for sex-biased persistence of gut microbes across human life

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Tarracchini

    (University of Parma)

  • Giulia Alessandri

    (University of Parma)

  • Federico Fontana

    (University of Parma
    GenProbio srl)

  • Sonia Mirjam Rizzo

    (University of Parma)

  • Gabriele Andrea Lugli

    (University of Parma)

  • Massimiliano Giovanni Bianchi

    (University of Parma
    University of Parma)

  • Leonardo Mancabelli

    (University of Parma
    University of Parma)

  • Giulia Longhi

    (University of Parma)

  • Chiara Argentini

    (University of Parma)

  • Laura Maria Vergna

    (University of Parma)

  • Rosaria Anzalone

    (GenProbio srl)

  • Alice Viappiani

    (GenProbio srl)

  • Francesca Turroni

    (University of Parma
    University of Parma)

  • Giuseppe Taurino

    (University of Parma
    University of Parma)

  • Martina Chiu

    (University of Parma)

  • Silvia Arboleya

    (Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, CSIC)

  • Miguel Gueimonde

    (Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, CSIC)

  • Ovidio Bussolati

    (University of Parma
    University of Parma)

  • Douwe Sinderen

    (National University of Ireland)

  • Christian Milani

    (University of Parma
    University of Parma)

  • Marco Ventura

    (University of Parma
    University of Parma)

Abstract

Although compositional variation in the gut microbiome during human development has been extensively investigated, strain-resolved dynamic changes remain to be fully uncovered. In the current study, shotgun metagenomic sequencing data of 12,415 fecal microbiomes from healthy individuals are employed for strain-level tracking of gut microbiota members to elucidate its evolving biodiversity across the human life span. This detailed longitudinal meta-analysis reveals host sex-related persistence of strains belonging to common, maternally-inherited species, such as Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum. Comparative genome analyses, coupled with experiments including intimate interaction between microbes and human intestinal cells, show that specific bacterial glycosyl hydrolases related to host-glycan metabolism may contribute to more efficient colonization in females compared to males. These findings point to an intriguing ancient sex-specific host-microbe coevolution driving the selective persistence in women of key microbial taxa that may be vertically passed on to the next generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Tarracchini & Giulia Alessandri & Federico Fontana & Sonia Mirjam Rizzo & Gabriele Andrea Lugli & Massimiliano Giovanni Bianchi & Leonardo Mancabelli & Giulia Longhi & Chiara Argentini & Laura , 2023. "Genetic strategies for sex-biased persistence of gut microbes across human life," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-39931-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39931-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yan Shao & Samuel C. Forster & Evdokia Tsaliki & Kevin Vervier & Angela Strang & Nandi Simpson & Nitin Kumar & Mark D. Stares & Alison Rodger & Peter Brocklehurst & Nigel Field & Trevor D. Lawley, 2019. "Stunted microbiota and opportunistic pathogen colonization in caesarean-section birth," Nature, Nature, vol. 574(7776), pages 117-121, October.
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