Temporal dynamics of gut biosynthetic gene clusters link persistent colonization and engraftment in fecal microbiota transplantation

TL;DR

This study explores how biosynthetic gene clusters in the gut microbiome change over time and how they affect colonization during fecal microbiota transplantation.

Contribution

The study identifies persistent and transient biosynthetic gene clusters and their distinct roles in gut colonization.

Findings

Persistent gene clusters are enriched in antibiotic resistance and show higher colonization rates.

Transient gene clusters are more sporadic and often carry virulence-associated genes.

The study links gene cluster dynamics to successful engraftment in fecal microbiota transplantation.

Abstract

The human gut microbiome carries a large array of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that encode the production of secondary metabolites, yet their temporal dynamics and role during microbial colonization remain largely unexplored. Here, we tracked BGCs profile over time in a cohort of healthy adults, and identified two distinct groups: persistent, which are stable over time, and transient, which are more sporadic. Functional annotations indicated persistent gene clusters are enriched in antibiotic resistance mechanisms, while transient ones more frequently carry virulence-associated genes. We then examined colonization of these two groups in the context of fecal microbiome transplantation. Our results show that persistent gene clusters exhibit higher colonization rates than transient ones. These findings contribute to our understanding of how microbial metabolites influence host health, potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome.

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