Natural genetic variation drives microbiome selection in the Caenorhabditis elegans gut

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.046
• Publication Date: 2021-05-27T15:38:17Z
• Authors: Fan Zhang; Jessica L. Weckhorst; Adrien Assié; Ciara Hosea; Christopher A. Ayoub; Anastasia S. Khod...; Mario Loeza Cabrera; Daniela Vidal Vil...; Marie-Anne Félix; Buck S. Samuel
• Keywords: Model Organism

Host genetic landscapes can shape microbiome assembly in the animal gut by contributing to establishment of distinct physiological environments. However, determinants stability and variation these types remain largely undefined. Here, we use free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans identify natural among wild strains C. that drives microbiomes. To achieve this, first established a diverse model represents strain-level phylogenetic diversity naturally encountered wild. Using this community, show utilizes immune, xenobiotic, metabolic signaling pathways favor different types. Variations were associated with enrichment for specific commensals, including Alphaproteobacteria Ochrobactrum. RNAi mutant strains, showed host selection Ochrobactrum is mediated specifically insulin pathways. recruitment blunted absence DAF-2/IGFR modulated competitive action transcription factors DAF-16/FOXO PQM-1/SALL2. Further, ability enrich as adults correlated faster growth rates larger body size at end development. These results highlight new role highly conserved regulation composition elegans.