Colonization island directs L. plantarum to its niche

Cell Host Microbe. 2025 Feb 12;33(2):168-170. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2025.01.005.

Abstract

Symbiotic gut bacteria have evolved mechanisms to selectively recognize and colonize an appropriate host. In a recent issue of Science, Gutiérrez-García et al. reported a colonization island that encodes sugar-binding adhesins used by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum to colonize its symbiotic niche in the foregut of its host, Drosophila melanogaster.

MeSH terms

  • Adhesins, Bacterial* / genetics
  • Adhesins, Bacterial* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Drosophila melanogaster* / microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Genomic Islands*
  • Lactobacillus plantarum* / genetics
  • Lactobacillus plantarum* / growth & development
  • Lactobacillus plantarum* / physiology
  • Symbiosis*

Substances

  • Adhesins, Bacterial