Host-Specific Functional Significance of Caenorhabditis Gut Commensals.

ABSTRACT: The gut microbiota is an important contributor to host health and fitness. Given its importance, microbiota composition should not be left to chance. However, what determines this composition is far from clear, with results supporting contributions of both environmental factors and host genetics. To gauge the relative contributions of host genetics and environment, specifically the microbial diversity, we characterized the gut microbiotas of Caenorhabditis species spanning 200-300 million years of evolution, and raised on different composted soil environments. Comparisons were based on 16S rDNA deep sequencing data, as well as on functional evaluation of gut isolates. Worm microbiotas were distinct from those in their respective soil environment, and included bacteria previously ide

SUBMITTER: Berg M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5066524 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature