Exploring differences in the human gut microbiome between Han Chinese and non-Chinese populations.

Area of Science:

• Microbiome Research
• Genomics
• Population Studies

Background:

• Human gut microbiota varies significantly across populations due to geography, diet, and lifestyle.
• Previous studies focused on microbial abundance, neglecting the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in population-specific differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically investigate gut microbial differences, including SNPs, between Han Chinese and non-Chinese populations.
• To identify population-specific microbial genome clusters and their functional implications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Human Gut Microbiome Reference Genome Catalog (HGMRGC).
• Analyzed microbial abundance and SNP data.
• Performed beta and alpha diversity analyses.

Main Results:

• Geography was the primary driver of microbial variation in abundance and SNPs.
• Identified 689 population-specific genome clusters in Collinsella with functional differences.
• Found 108 species with distinct prevalence related to vitamin biosynthesis, antibiotic resistance, and carbohydrate metabolism.
• Observed significant inter-population differences in microbial abundance and SNPs.
• Non-Chinese populations showed higher microbial abundance diversity; Han Chinese populations exhibited greater SNP diversity.

Conclusions:

• Population-specific traits profoundly influence gut microbial diversity and function.
• Established a comprehensive human gut microbial reference genome catalog, emphasizing the Han Chinese population.
• Provides a foundation for future research on gut microbiota genomic variations.