Genomic characterization and transcriptional studies of the starch-utilizing strain Bifidobacterium adolescentis 22L.

Sabrina Duranti, Francesca Turroni, Gabriele Andrea Lugli, Christian Milani, Alice Viappiani, Marta Mangifesta, Laura Gioiosa, Paola Palanza, Douwe van Sinderen, Marco Ventura

Index: Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 80(19) , 6080-90, (2014)

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Abstract

Bifidobacteria are members of the gut microbiota, but the genetic basis for their adaptation to the human gut is poorly understood. The analysis of the 2,203,222-bp genome of Bifidobacterium adolescentis 22L revealed a nutrient acquisition strategy that targets diet/plant-derived glycans, in particular starch and starch-like carbohydrates. Starch-like carbohydrates were shown to support the growth of B. adolescentis 22L. Transcriptome profiling of 22L cultures grown under in vitro conditions or during colonization of the murine gut by RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR assays revealed the expression of a set of chromosomal loci responsible for starch metabolism as well as for pilus production. Such extracellular structures include so-called sortase-dependent and type IVb pili, which may be involved in gut colonization of 22L through adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.