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Human gut microbiome viewed across age and geography

Author

Listed:
  • Tanya Yatsunenko

    (Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Federico E. Rey

    (Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Mark J. Manary

    (Washington University School of Medicine
    University of Malawi College of Medicine)

  • Indi Trehan

    (Washington University School of Medicine
    University of Malawi College of Medicine)

  • Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello

    (University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico 00931-3360)

  • Monica Contreras

    (Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC), Carretera Panamericana, Km 11, Altos de Pipe, Venezuela)

  • Magda Magris

    (Amazonic Center for Research and Control of Tropical Diseases (CAICET), Puerto Ayacucho 7101, Amazonas, Venezuela)

  • Glida Hidalgo

    (Amazonic Center for Research and Control of Tropical Diseases (CAICET), Puerto Ayacucho 7101, Amazonas, Venezuela)

  • Robert N. Baldassano

    (The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

  • Andrey P. Anokhin

    (Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Andrew C. Heath

    (Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Barbara Warner

    (Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Jens Reeder

    (University of Colorado)

  • Justin Kuczynski

    (University of Colorado)

  • J. Gregory Caporaso

    (Northern Arizona University)

  • Catherine A. Lozupone

    (University of Colorado)

  • Christian Lauber

    (University of Colorado)

  • Jose Carlos Clemente

    (University of Colorado)

  • Dan Knights

    (University of Colorado)

  • Rob Knight

    (University of Colorado
    Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado)

  • Jeffrey I. Gordon

    (Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine)

Abstract

Gut microbial communities represent one source of human genetic and metabolic diversity. To examine how gut microbiomes differ among human populations, here we characterize bacterial species in fecal samples from 531 individuals, plus the gene content of 110 of them. The cohort encompassed healthy children and adults from the Amazonas of Venezuela, rural Malawi and US metropolitan areas and included mono- and dizygotic twins. Shared features of the functional maturation of the gut microbiome were identified during the first three years of life in all three populations, including age-associated changes in the genes involved in vitamin biosynthesis and metabolism. Pronounced differences in bacterial assemblages and functional gene repertoires were noted between US residents and those in the other two countries. These distinctive features are evident in early infancy as well as adulthood. Our findings underscore the need to consider the microbiome when evaluating human development, nutritional needs, physiological variations and the impact of westernization.

Suggested Citation

  • Tanya Yatsunenko & Federico E. Rey & Mark J. Manary & Indi Trehan & Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello & Monica Contreras & Magda Magris & Glida Hidalgo & Robert N. Baldassano & Andrey P. Anokhin & Andrew C, 2012. "Human gut microbiome viewed across age and geography," Nature, Nature, vol. 486(7402), pages 222-227, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:486:y:2012:i:7402:d:10.1038_nature11053
    DOI: 10.1038/nature11053
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