Ecological Importance of Cross-Feeding of the Intermediate Metabolite 1,2-Propanediol between Bacterial Gut Symbionts
Christopher C. Cheng, Rebbeca M. Duar, Xiaoxi B. Lin, María Elisa Pérez-Muñoz, Stephanie Tollenaar, Jee‐Hwan Oh, Jan‐Peter van Pijkeren, Fuyong Li, Douwe van Sinderen, Michael G. Gänzle, Jens Walter
Abstract
Through experiments in gnotobiotic mice that employed isogenic mutants of bacterial strains that produce ( Bifidobacterium breve ) and utilize ( Lactobacillus reuteri ) 1,2-propanediol, this study provides mechanistic insight into the ecological ramifications of a trophic interaction between gut symbionts. The findings improve our understanding on how cross-feeding influences the competitive fitness of L. reuteri in the vertebrate gut and revealed a putative selective force that shaped the evolution of the species. The findings are relevant since they provide a basis to design rational microbial-based strategies to modulate gut ecosystems, which could employ mixtures of bacterial strains that establish trophic interactions or a personalized approach based on the ability of a resident microbiota to provide resources for the incoming microbe.