Novel correlations between microbial taxa and amino acid metabolites in mouse cecal contents

Authors: Taussig, David; JACKSON, MATTHEW - Former ARS Employee; Zeng, Huawei; COMBS, JR., GERALD - Former ARS Employee

Submitted to: Keystone Symposia
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2016
Publication Date: 4/1/2016
Citation: Taussig, D.P., Jackson, M., Zeng, H., Combs, Jr., G.F. 2016. Novel correlations between microbial taxa and amino acid metabolites in mouse cecal contents [abstract]. Keystone Symposia: Microbiota, Metabollic Disorders and Beyond, April 17-21, 2016, Newport, Rhode Island. p 75.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Gut microbes share a bi-directional relationship with thousands of metabolites in their environment. Many of these microbes and metabolites are associated with human diseases including obesity, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. Further understanding of how microbes affect metabolite concentration in the gut, and vice versa, can lead to concrete health benefits. In this study, mice were assigned to 4 dietary treatment groups, varying in fiber type and selenium concentration, and fed for 16 weeks. Subsequent metagenomic sequencing and metabolomic analysis of their caecal contents revealed that consumption of fermentable versus non-fermentable fiber, but not selenium concentration, dramatically affected microbial and metabolic concentrations in the ceacum. Correlation analysis revealed 715 positive correlations between microbial taxa and metabolite concentrations, and 298 negative correlations. These correlations were clustered prominently among Lactobacilli microbes and metabolites involved in nitrogen metabolism. Other key findings include strong correlations among metabolites involved in amino acid metabolism, and among others involved in redox homeostasis. These results shed light on how gut microbes influence and respond to the concentrations of bioactive metabolites in gut, and suggest targets for follow-up research.