Host genetic determinants of microbiota-dependent nutrition revealed by genome-wide analysis of Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: Animals bear communities of gut microorganisms with substantial effects on animal nutrition, but the host genetic basis of these effects is unknown. Here we use Drosophila to demonstrate substantial among-genotype variation in the effects of eliminating the gut microbiota on five host nutritional indices (weight, protein, lipid, glucose and glycogen contents); this includes variation in both the magnitude and direction of microbiota-dependent effects. Genome-wide association studies to identify the genetic basis of the microbiota-dependent variation reveal polymorphisms in largely non-overlapping sets of genes associated with variation in the nutritional traits, including strong representation of conserved genes functioning in signalling. Key genes identified by the GWA study are validated

SUBMITTER: Dobson AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4333721 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature