Dietary selective effects manifest in the human gut microbiota from species composition to strain genetic makeup

authored by: Kun D. Huang, Mattea Müller, Pavaret Sivapornnukul, Agata Anna Bielecka, Lena Amend, Caroline Tawk, Andreas Hahn, Till Robin Lesker, Till Strowig
Abstract: Diet significantly influences the human gut microbiota, a key player in health. We analyzed shotgun metagenomic sequencing data from healthy individuals with long-term dietary patterns—vegan, flexitarian, or omnivore—and included detailed dietary surveys and blood biomarkers. Dietary patterns notably affected the bacterial community composition by altering the relative abundances of certain species but had a minimal impact on microbial functional repertoires. However, diet influenced microbial functionality at the strain level, with diet type linked to strain genetic variations. We also found molecular signatures of selective pressure in species enriched by specific diets. Notably, species enriched in omnivores exhibited stronger positive selection, such as multiple iron-regulating genes in the meat-favoring bacterium Odoribacter splanchnicus, an effect that was also validated in independent cohorts. Our findings offer insights into how diet shapes species and genetic diversity in the human gut microbiota.
Organisation(s): Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section
External Organisation(s): Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)
Chulalongkorn University
Hannover Medical School (MHH)
Type: Article
Journal: Cell reports
Volume: 43
No. of pages: 18
ISSN: 2639-1856
Publication date: 24.12.2024
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2024.115067 (Access: Open)