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Host mitochondria influence gut microbiome diversity: A role for ROS

Tal Yardeni1, Ceylan E Tanes2, Kyle Bittinger2

  • 1Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Science Signaling
|July 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial genetic variations impact gut microbiota composition and diversity. Host reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, influenced by mitochondrial genotype, is linked to microbiome changes, suggesting a role in disease development.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Mitochondrial Biology

Background:

  • Both gut microbiota and mitochondrial genome alterations are associated with disease development.
  • Understanding the interplay between these factors is crucial for disease etiology research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of mitochondrial genetic variations on gut microbiota composition.
  • To explore the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mediating the relationship between mitochondrial function and the gut microbiome.

Main Methods:

  • Examined gut microbiota in mice with genetic mutations affecting mitochondrial function.
  • Conducted cross-fostering studies to assess microbiota transmission and establishment.
  • Analyzed mitochondrial DNA variants and correlated them with gut microbiota diversity.
  • Manipulated ROS levels in mice through aging, N-acetylcysteine treatment, and mitochondrial catalase expression.

Main Results:

  • Mitochondrial genetic variations were found to alter gut microbiota community composition.
  • Microbiota composition shifted towards a genotype-specific profile within two months, irrespective of initial maternal transmission.
  • Microbiome species diversity correlated positively with host ROS production.
  • Modulating ROS levels (via aging, N-acetylcysteine, or catalase) altered the established gut microbiota.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial genotype influences both ROS production and gut microbiome species diversity.
  • Changes in mitochondrial function may underlie the connection between the gut microbiome and common diseases.

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