Abstract
The human gut microbiome has a considerable impact on host health. The long list of microbiome-related health disorders raises the question of what in fact determines microbiome composition. In this review we sought to understand how the host itself impacts the structure of the gut microbiota population, specifically by correlations of host genetics and gut microbiome composition. Host genetic profile has been linked to differences in microbiome composition, thus suggesting that host genetics can shape the gut microbiome of the host. However, cause-consequence mechanisms behind these links are still unclear. A survey of the possible mechanisms allowing host genetics to shape microbiota composition in the gut demonstrated the major role of metabolic functions and the immune system. A considerable impact of other factors, such as diet, may outweigh the effects of host genetic background. More studies are necessary for good understanding of the relations between the host genetic profile, gut microbiome composition, and host health. According to the idea of personalized medicine, patient-tailored management of microbiota content remains a fascinating area for further inquiry.
Highlights
Correlations of Host Genetics and Gut Microbiome CompositionThe human gut microbiome has a considerable impact on host health
The human gut houses a complex community of microbes whose number is estimated to be 10 times higher than the number of cells in the whole body
Benson et al (2010) showed that composition of the gut microbiota behaves as a polygenic trait, and they identified in mice 18 host quantitative trait loci (QTL) that correlated with relative abundances of particular microbial groups
Summary
The human gut microbiome has a considerable impact on host health. In this review we sought to understand how the host itself impacts the structure of the gut microbiota population, by correlations of host genetics and gut microbiome composition. Host genetic profile has been linked to differences in microbiome composition, suggesting that host genetics can shape the gut microbiome of the host. A survey of the possible mechanisms allowing host genetics to shape microbiota composition in the gut demonstrated the major role of metabolic functions and the immune system. A considerable impact of other factors, such as diet, may outweigh the effects of host genetic background. More studies are necessary for good understanding of the relations between the host genetic profile, gut microbiome composition, and host health.
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