Release date: 2018-03-07
Image source: ISTOCK, CHRISCHRISW
Gene or environment, which has a greater impact on microbial composition? This has always been a controversial topic in the scientific community. Recent studies have shown that microbes that are symbiotic in our body affect almost every aspect of human health. Differences in microbial structure between individuals have been shown to be associated with various conditions such as obesity and mood. Some scientists believe that this difference originates from our genes and is dominated by "innate".
However, the answer given by Eran Segal, a computer science expert from the Weizmann Institute of Science, is that genetics plays a minor role in microbial composition. Instead, the environment has a greater impact on its composition. At the same time, research shows that the relationship between gut flora and health is far more important than we think.
Image source: Nature(doi:10.1038/nature25973)
Only about 2%
The research team used a unique database of blood and fecal samples from 1,046 adults (including Shkkenazi, North Africa, Yemen, Sefardi, Middle Eastern descendants, etc.) (one on personalized nutrition) Longitudinal study).
The reason for choosing in Israel is because the population is very diverse (Jews immigrate to Israel for a short time) and they now have a common living environment. “We need to distinguish between genetics and the impact of the environment on microbes. The first condition is that there is a natural, ideal place,†explains Eran Segal.
In addition to genetic data and microbial composition, the research team also collected information on eating habits, lifestyle, and medication. After comparing the genetic information of the subjects and the diversity of their respective gut microbes, they found that the genes were not an important factor influencing the composition of the microbes, but the effect was small—only about 2%.
environmental impact
To verify the extent of the environment's impact on microbes, the Segal team analyzed two types of people—people who never lived together but were related; people who lived together and were not related. They found that their loved ones who lived together did not have a distinct composition of gut flora, but their microbial composition was similar for those who lived together.
Combined with huge data, the researchers found that diet and lifestyle are the most important factors affecting microbial composition.
A small part of intestinal microbes can be inherited
The Segal team analyzed a 2016 study of 1126 pairs of twin microbes to verify whether human gut microbes would be passed on to the next generation. The results show that about 1.9-8.1% of the microorganisms are heritable.
"The results of the two studies are consistent." Cornell University microbiologist Emily Davenport said that his "twin project" revealed that 5.38 to 8.8% of intestinal microbes are heritable.
In turn, it combines genes to influence health
What do intestinal microbial differences in turn affect the host? The Segal team combined genetic data with microbiological data and found that this integration accurately predicts human phenotypes, including obesity and cholesterol levels. Specifically, considering environmental and genetic factors, microbes affect 36% of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and 25% of body mass index (BMI) differences.
These results underscore the proportion of microbes in disease prediction. “Understanding which bacteria are inherited helps develop microbial-based targeted therapies.†The researchers speculate, “We can't change genes, but they can affect, even reshape, the body's microbial composition.â€
Reference materials:
Genetics or lifestyle: A study brings new hope for improving our health
Environment, Not Genetics, Primarily Shapes Microbiome Composition
Source: Bio-Exploration
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