The genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis reveals adaptations for milk utilization within the infant microbiome

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Dec 2;105(48):18964-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0809584105. Epub 2008 Nov 24.

Abstract

Following birth, the breast-fed infant gastrointestinal tract is rapidly colonized by a microbial consortium often dominated by bifidobacteria. Accordingly, the complete genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ATCC15697 reflects a competitive nutrient-utilization strategy targeting milk-borne molecules which lack a nutritive value to the neonate. Several chromosomal loci reflect potential adaptation to the infant host including a 43 kbp cluster encoding catabolic genes, extracellular solute binding proteins and permeases predicted to be active on milk oligosaccharides. An examination of in vivo metabolism has detected the hallmarks of milk oligosaccharide utilization via the central fermentative pathway using metabolomic and proteomic approaches. Finally, conservation of gene clusters in multiple isolates corroborates the genomic mechanism underlying milk utilization for this infant-associated phylotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / classification
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Bifidobacterium / genetics*
  • Bifidobacterium / metabolism
  • Breast Feeding
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology*
  • Genome, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Milk, Human* / chemistry
  • Milk, Human* / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family
  • Oligosaccharides / chemistry
  • Oligosaccharides / metabolism
  • Phylogeny
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Oligosaccharides

Associated data

  • GENBANK/CP001095