Microbial Biogeography and Core Microbiota of the Rat Digestive Tract

• DOI: 10.1038/srep45840
• Publication Date: 2017-04-04T12:41:04Z
• Authors: Dongyao Li; Haiqin Chen; Bingyong Mao; Qin Yang; Jianxin Zhao; Zhennan Gu; Hao Zhang; Yong Q. Chen; Wei Chen
• Keywords: Lachnospiraceae; Microbial Metabolism; Pyrosequencing

Abstract As a long-standing biomedical model, rats have been frequently used in studies exploring the correlations between gastrointestinal (GI) bacterial biota and diseases. In present study, luminal mucosal samples taken along longitudinal axis of rat digestive tract were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based analysis determine baseline microbial composition. Results showed that community diversity increased from upper lower GI segments stratification communities as well shift metabolites driven by biogeographic location. A greater proportion lactate-producing bacteria (such Lactobacillus, Turicibacter Streptococcus) found stomach small intestine, while anaerobic Lachnospiraceae Ruminococcaceae, fermenting carbohydrates plant aromatic compounds, constituted bulk large-intestinal core microbiota where topologically distinct co-occurrence networks constructed for adjacent compartments. When comparing different hosts, we biogeography might represent new reference, other murine animals. Our study provides first comprehensive characterization landscape research community, laying foundation better understanding predicting disease-related alterations communities.