Association between the pig genome and its gut microbiota composition

Area of Science:

• Animal Genetics
• Microbiology
• Genomics

Background:

• The gut microbiota and host genome exhibit a co-evolutionary, symbiotic relationship.
• Understanding host genetic influence on gut microbial communities is crucial for animal health and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the host genome in modulating gut microbiota composition in pigs.
• To identify specific genetic loci and candidate genes associated with variations in gut microbial populations.

Main Methods:

• Sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize gut microbiota in 285 pigs.
• High-throughput genotyping of 45,508 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the pig genome.
• Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) correlating host genotypes with microbial community structure.

Main Results:

• A total of 1,261 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, with Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as dominant phyla.
• Genome-wide association studies revealed 52 SNPs in 17 genomic regions associated with the abundance of six genera: Akkermansia, CF231, Phascolarctobacterium, Prevotella, SMB53, and Streptococcus.
• Thirty-nine candidate genes were proposed as potentially influencing gut microbiota composition.

Conclusions:

• The study provides evidence for a significant association between the host genome and gut microbiota composition in pigs.
• Identified genetic associations offer insights into the biological mechanisms underlying host-microbial interactions in swine.
• These findings can inform future strategies for manipulating the gut microbiome through genetic selection.