A microbial community that alters mitochondrial morphology and age-related motor function in <i>C. elegans</i>.

ABSTRACT: Across diverse taxa, the composition of the microbiota is associated with host fitness. A mechanistic understanding of how microbial communities influence host physiology could lead to microbiota-based interventions for lifelong health. Here, we have developed a host-microbiota model system consisting of the model organism C. elegans combined with a defined natural microbiota (DefNatMta) consisting of 11 bacterial strains isolated from wild C. elegans to study natural host-microbiota interactions in the laboratory. We show that DefNatMta persists in the C. elegans gut, forming a stable and distinct gut microbiota. Utilizing this host-microbiota system, we find that DefNatMta affects age-related motility and protects against age-related decline in motor function. DefNat

SUBMITTER: Dennis N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12721190 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature