Human Genetics Shape the Gut Microbiome

TY - JOUR

T1 - Human Genetics Shape the Gut Microbiome

AU - Goodrich, Julia K.

AU - Waters, Jillian L.

AU - Poole, Angela C.

AU - Sutter, Jessica L.

AU - Koren, Omry

AU - Blekhman, Ran

AU - Beaumont, Michelle

AU - Van Treuren, William

AU - Knight, Rob

AU - Bell, Jordana T.

AU - Spector, Timothy D.

AU - Clark, Andrew G.

AU - Ley, Ruth E.

PY - 2014/11/6

Y1 - 2014/11/6

N2 - Host genetics and the gut microbiome can both influence metabolic phenotypes. However, whether host genetic variationshapes thegut microbiome and interacts with it to affect host phenotype is unclear. Here, we compared microbiotas across >1,000 fecal samples obtained from the TwinsUK population, including 416 twin pairs. We identified many microbial taxa whose abundances were influenced by host genetics. The most heritable taxon, the family Christensenellaceae, formed a co-occurrence network with other heritable Bacteria and with methanogenic Archaea. Furthermore, Christensenellaceae and its partners were enriched in individuals with low body mass index (BMI). An obese-associated microbiome was amended with Christensenella minuta, a cultured member of the Christensenellaceae, and transplanted to germ-free mice. C. minuta amendment reduced weight gain and altered the microbiome of recipient mice. Our findings indicate that host genetics influence the composition of the human gut microbiome and can do so in ways that impact host metabolism.

AB - Host genetics and the gut microbiome can both influence metabolic phenotypes. However, whether host genetic variationshapes thegut microbiome and interacts with it to affect host phenotype is unclear. Here, we compared microbiotas across >1,000 fecal samples obtained from the TwinsUK population, including 416 twin pairs. We identified many microbial taxa whose abundances were influenced by host genetics. The most heritable taxon, the family Christensenellaceae, formed a co-occurrence network with other heritable Bacteria and with methanogenic Archaea. Furthermore, Christensenellaceae and its partners were enriched in individuals with low body mass index (BMI). An obese-associated microbiome was amended with Christensenella minuta, a cultured member of the Christensenellaceae, and transplanted to germ-free mice. C. minuta amendment reduced weight gain and altered the microbiome of recipient mice. Our findings indicate that host genetics influence the composition of the human gut microbiome and can do so in ways that impact host metabolism.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84910096224&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.cell.2014.09.053

DO - 10.1016/j.cell.2014.09.053

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84910096224

SN - 0092-8674

VL - 159

SP - 789

EP - 799

JO - Cell

JF - Cell

IS - 4

ER -