Emergent roles of infant gut microbes during the utilization of human milk oligosaccharides.

ABSTRACT: Bifidobacterium spp. are representative species of the infant gut microbiome. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex carbohydrates in breast milk, guiding gut microbiome assembly by establishing complex microbial interactions. Here, a synthetic community of seven infant gut microbes was subjected to single species dropouts in bioreactors using three HMOs. Substrate use, acid production, biomass, and metatranscriptomics revealed that B. bifidum was critical for degradation product formation and supporting cross-feeding. Removing B. longum subsp. infantis, known for intracellular HMO use, accelerated global growth and HMO consumption, suggesting competitive interactions. Some dropouts led to the accumulation of sialic acid, fucose, or lactose. Metatranscriptomics showed niche expansi

SUBMITTER: Proschle-Donoso T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12722761 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature