A distinct Fusobacterium nucleatum clade dominates the colorectal cancer niche.

ABSTRACT: Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), a bacterium present in the human oral cavity and rarely found in the lower gastrointestinal tract of healthy individuals¹, is enriched in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tumours^2-5. High intratumoural Fn loads are associated with recurrence, metastases and poorer patient prognosis^5-8. Here, to delineate Fn genetic factors facilitating tumour colonization, we generated closed genomes for 135 Fn strains; 80 oral strains from individuals without cancer and 55 unique cancer strains cultured from tumours from 51 patients with CRC. Pangenomic analyses identified 483 CRC-enriched genetic factors. Tumour-isolated strains predominantly belong to Fn subspecies animalis (Fna). However, genomic analyses reveal that Fna, considered a single s

SUBMITTER: Zepeda-Rivera M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11006615 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature