Host cells subdivide nutrient niches into discrete biogeographical microhabitats for gut microbes

• DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.04.012
• Publication Date: 2022-05-13T14:34:56Z
• Authors: Megan J. Liou; Brittany M. Miller; Yael Litvak; Henry Nguyen; Dean E. Natwick; Hannah P. Savage; Jordan A. Rixon; Scott P. Mahan; Hirotaka Hiyoshi; Andrew W.L. Rogers; Eric M. Velazquez; Brian P. Butler; Sean R. Collins; Stephen J. McSorley; Rasika M. Harshey; Mariana X. Byndloss; Scott I. Simon; Andreas J. Bäumler
• Keywords: Salmonella typhimurium; 570; Immunology; nutrient niches; 610; Microbiology; Enterobacterales; Salmonella; nitrate; Biodefense; Escherichia coli; 2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment; 2.1 Biological and endogenous factors; Humans; chemotaxis; biogeography; Nitrates; Biomedical and Clinical Sciences; gut microbiota; Nutrients; Biological Sciences; Medical microbiology; Foodborne Illness; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; 3. Good health; Infectious Diseases; Emerging Infectious Diseases; Medical Microbiology; Biochemistry and cell biology; Microbiome; Digestive Diseases; Infection

Changes in the microbiota composition are associated with many human diseases, but factors that govern strain abundance remain poorly defined. We show a commensal Escherichia coli and pathogenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolate both utilize nitrate for intestinal growth, each accesses this resource distinct biogeographical niche. Commensal E. utilizes epithelial-derived nitrate, whereas niche occupied by S. is derived from phagocytic infiltrates. Surprisingly, avirulent was shown to be unable because its chemotaxis receptors McpB McpC exclude pathogen coli. In contrast, invades constructed virulence confers colonization resistance competing nitrate. Thus, nutrient niches not defined solely critical resources, they can further subdivided biogeographically within host into microhabitats, thereby generating new opportunities bacterial species.