Abstract
MotivationCarbohydrate Active enzyme (CAZyme) families, encoded by human gut microflora, play a crucial role in breakdown of complex dietary carbohydrates into components that can be absorbed by our intestinal epithelium. Since nutritional wellbeing of an individual is dependent on the nutrient harvesting capability of the gut microbiome, it is important to understand how CAZyme repertoire in the gut is influenced by factors like age, geography and food habits.ResultsThis study reports a comprehensive in-silico analysis of CAZyme profiles in the gut microbiomes of 448 individuals belonging to different geographies, using similarity searches of the corresponding gut metagenomic contigs against the carbohydrate active enzymes database. The study identifies a core group of 89 CAZyme families that are present across 85% of the gut microbiomes. The study detects several geography/age-specific trends in gut CAZyme repertoires of the individuals. Notably, a group of CAZymes having a positive correlation with BMI has been identified. Further this group of BMI-associated CAZymes is observed to be specifically abundant in the Firmicutes phyla. One of the major findings from this study is identification of three distinct groups of individuals, referred to as 'CAZotypes', having similar CAZyme profiles. Distinct taxonomic drivers for these CAZotypes as well as the probable dietary basis for such trends have also been elucidated. The results of this study provide a global view of CAZyme profiles across individuals of various geographies and age-groups. These results re-iterate the need of a more precise understanding of the role of carbohydrate active enzymes in human nutrition.
Highlights
Human gut harbours more than 1000 microbial species
This study reports a comprehensive in-silico analysis of Carbohydrate Active enzyme (CAZyme) profiles in the gut microbiomes of 448 individuals belonging to different geographies, using similarity searches of the corresponding gut metagenomic contigs against the carbohydrate active enzymes database
The results of this study provide a global view of CAZyme profiles across individuals of various geographies and age-groups
Summary
Human gut harbours more than 1000 microbial species. These species, along with their approximately 4.2 million genes, constitute the gut microbiome [1]. Global Profile of CAZymes in Human Gut Microbiome company, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., this does not alter the authors' adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials. The microbiome aids in carrying out several metabolic functions, many of which cannot be performed by the human genome [2]. These functions include modulation of immune response as well as nutrient absorption, protection against pathogens, and most importantly, efficient energy harvest from the diet. One of the key steps in the efficient harvest of energy involves degradation of carbohydrate components from our food
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