Through human microbiome sequencing, we can better
understand how host evolutionary and ontogenetic
history is reflected in the microbial function.
However, there has been no information on the gut
metagenome configuration in hunter-gatherer
populations, posing a gap in our knowledge of gut
microbiota (GM)-host mutualism arising from a
lifestyle that describes over 90% of human
evolutionary history.
Gut microbiota
Researchers presented the first metagenomic analysis
of GM from Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania,
showing a unique enrichment in metabolic pathways
that aligns with the dietary and environmental
factors characteristic of their foraging lifestyle.
Scientists found that the Hadza GM is adapted for
broad-spectrum carbohydrate metabolism, reflecting
the complex polysaccharides in their diet.
Furthermore, the Hadza GM is equipped for
branched-chain amino acid degradation and aromatic
amino acid biosynthesis.
Resistome functionality demonstrates the existence
of antibiotic resistance genes in a population with
little antibiotic exposure, indicating the
ubiquitous presence of environmentally derived
resistances.
The results demonstrate how the functional
specificity of the GM correlates with certain
environment and lifestyle factors and how complexity
from the exogenous environment can be balanced by
endogenous homeostasis. The Hadza gut metagenome
structure allows us to appreciate the co-adaptive
functional role of the GM in complementing the human
physiology, providing a better understanding of the
versatility of human life and subsistence.
For more information
Current Biology
Metagenome Sequencing of the Hadza Hunter-Gatherer
Gut Microbiota
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