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Evolution, human-microbe interactions, and life history plasticity.

Graham Rook1, Fredrik Bäckhed2, Bruce R Levin3

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Human health relies on a delicate balance with microbes. Our metabolism is a constant tug-of-war, managing beneficial microbes while excluding harmful ones, influencing life history.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Physiology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Microorganisms were integral to early life and continue to shape human physiology.
  • Vertebrates host extensive microbial communities (microbiota), particularly in the gut, influencing human metabolism.
  • Modern lifestyles and medical practices disrupt microbiota composition and reduce exposure to co-evolved microbes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary and physiological interplay between humans and their associated microbes.
  • To understand how microbial communities influence human metabolism and life history.
  • To differentiate between co-evolved beneficial microbes and intrusive pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a conceptual review, synthesizing existing research on human-microbe interactions.
  • It examines the evolutionary history of microbial symbiosis in eukaryotes.
  • It analyzes the metabolic contributions of microbiota to host physiology.

Main Results:

  • A significant portion of the human genome and blood small molecules originate from microbial activity.
  • Human metabolism is characterized by a dynamic balance between beneficial and detrimental microbes.
  • Disruptions to microbiota and increased exposure to novel pathogens pose health challenges.

Conclusions:

  • Human metabolism and life history are profoundly shaped by the management of symbiotic and pathogenic microbes.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for addressing modern health challenges.
  • The evolutionary history of human-microbe relationships provides context for current physiological processes.