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Gene expression in the chicken caecum is dependent on microbiota composition
Jiri Volf1, Ondrej Polansky1, Zuzana Sekelova1
1Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
Veterinary Research
|December 6, 2017
Summary
The gut microbiota significantly impacts protein expression in chicken ceca, particularly immunoglobulin production. Specific bacterial compositions influence host gene expression, though overall protein differences are minor.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Proteomics
Background:
- Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host health.
- The impact of gut microbiota absence on host gene expression is not fully understood.
- Germ-free animals offer a model to study host-microbiota interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of gut microbiota on protein expression in chicken ceca.
- To compare protein expression in germ-free versus colonized chickens.
- To determine if specific bacterial compositions alter host protein expression.
Main Methods:
- Unbiased proteomic analysis of chicken cecal tissue.
- Comparison of germ-free and conventionally colonized chickens.
- Analysis of chickens mono-associated with specific bacteria (E. coli Nissle, E. faecium DSM7134).
Main Results:
- Immunoglobulin expression was significantly lower in germ-free chickens.
- Microbiota influenced focal adhesion and extracellular matrix proteins (minor decrease).
- Microbiota increased expression of argininosuccinate synthase (ASS1), redox sensing, metabolic processes, and detoxification enzymes (SULT1C3, SULT1E1).
- Specific bacteria (E. coli Nissle, E. faecium DSM7134) differentially affected immunoglobulin and cystathionine synthase (CBS) expression.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota composition significantly affects protein expression in the chicken cecum.
- Immunoglobulin production is highly dependent on the presence of gut microbiota.
- Specific microbial species can modulate host protein expression, influencing pathways like immunity and metabolism.
- Except for immunoglobulins, the overall impact of microbiota on protein expression was less pronounced than expected.
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