Systems-level metabolism of the Altered Schaedler Flora, a complete gut microbiota
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The Altered Schaedler Flora (ASF) is a model microbial community with both in vivo and in vitro relevance. Here we provide the first characterization of the ASF community in vitro, independent of a murine host. We compared the functional genetic content of the ASF to wild murine metagenomes and found that the ASF functionally represents wild microbiomes better than random consortia of similar taxonomic composition. We developed a chemically-defined medium that supported growth of seven of the eight ASF members. To elucidate the metabolic capabilities of these ASF species—including potential for interactions such as cross feeding—we performed a spent media screen and analyzed the results through dynamic growth measurements and non-targeted metabolic profiling. We found that cross-feeding is relatively rare (32 of 3 570 possible cases), but is enriched between Clostridium ASF356 and Parabacteroides ASF519. We identified many cases of emergent metabolism (856 of 3 570 possible cases). These data will inform efforts to understand ASF dynamics and spatial distribution in vivo, to design pre- and probiotics that modulate relative abundances of ASF members, and will be essential for validating computational models of ASF metabolism. Well-characterized, experimentally tractable microbial communities enable research that can translate into more effective microbiome-targeted therapies to improve human health.
Date Issued
2016-11-08
Date Acceptance
2016-08-17
Citation
ISME Journal, 2016, 11, pp.426-438
ISSN
1751-7362
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Start Page
426
End Page
438
Journal / Book Title
ISME Journal
Volume
11
Copyright Statement
© 2017 International Society for Microbial Ecology All rights reserved. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License URL
Identifier
https://www.nature.com/articles/ismej2016130
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2016-11-08