Dataset Information

Low mutational load and high mutation rate variation in gut commensal bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria generally live in species-rich communities, such as the gut microbiota. Yet little is known about bacterial evolution in natural ecosystems. Here, we followed the long-term evolution of commensal Escherichia coli in the mouse gut. We observe the emergence of mutation rate polymorphism, ranging from wild-type levels to 1,000-fold higher. By combining experiments, whole-genome sequencing, and in silico simulations, we identify the molecular causes and explore the evolutionary conditions allowing these hypermutators to emerge and coexist within the microbiota. The hypermutator phenotype is caused by mutations in DNA polymerase III proofreading and catalytic subunits, which increase mutation rate by approximately 1,000-fold and stabilise hypermutator fitness, respectively. Strong mutation rate variation persists for >1,000 generations, with coexistence between lineages carrying 4 to >600 mutations. The in vivo molecular evolution pattern is consistent with fitness effects of deleterious mutations sd ? 10-4/generation, assuming a constant effect or exponentially distributed effects with a constant mean. Such effects are lower than typical in vitro estimates, leading to a low mutational load, an inference that is observed in in vivo and in vitro competitions. Despite large numbers of deleterious mutations, we identify multiple beneficial mutations that do not reach fixation over long periods of time. This indicates that the dynamics of beneficial mutations are not shaped by constant positive Darwinian selection but could be explained by other evolutionary mechanisms that maintain genetic diversity. Thus, microbial evolution in the gut is likely characterised by partial sweeps of beneficial mutations combined with hitchhiking of slightly deleterious mutations, which take a long time to be purged because they impose a low mutational load. The combination of these two processes could allow for the long-term maintenance of intraspecies genetic diversity, including mutation rate polymorphism. These results are consistent with the pattern of genetic polymorphism that is emerging from metagenomics studies of the human gut microbiota, suggesting that we have identified key evolutionary processes shaping the genetic composition of this community.

SUBMITTER: Ramiro RS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7064181 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Low mutational load and high mutation rate variation in gut commensal bacteria.

Ramiro Ricardo S RS Durão Paulo P Bank Claudia C Gordo Isabel I

PLoS biology 20200310 3

Bacteria generally live in species-rich communities, such as the gut microbiota. Yet little is known about bacterial evolution in natural ecosystems. Here, we followed the long-term evolution of commensal Escherichia coli in the mouse gut. We observe the emergence of mutation rate polymorphism, ranging from wild-type levels to 1,000-fold higher. By combining experiments, whole-genome sequencing, and in silico simulations, we identify the molecular causes and explore the evolutionary conditions a ...[more]

PMID: 32155146

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Project description:Aim: Microbial colonization of the intestine in newborns is a critical event that regulates host physiology with lifelong consequences. However, there is a need to identify microbial molecules and mechanisms that play a role in this process. We aimed to elucidate the effects of flagellin, an important immunomodulatory component involved in bacterial motility, on intestinal epithelial functions. Methods: Germfree mice were colonized with synthetic bacterial communities, including a flagellated mouse gut isolate of Escherichia coli or a ΔfliC mutant thereof that lacks flagella. The offspring of these mice were studied at 7 days of age by single-cell RNA sequencing of epithelial cells isolated from the small intestine. Results: Enterococcus faecalis was the most dominant species in the small intestine of newborn mice. Blautia pseudococcoides was detected at low relative abundances. Colonization by either E. coli strain reduced the relative abundance of E. faecalis to 10% on average, and E. coli became the dominant member, with no substantial differences between mice colonized with the wildtype or mutant strain. The distribution of cell types within the small intestinal epithelium was skewed toward specialized cells (goblet, enteroendocrine, stem cells) at the expense of enterocytes in mice colonized with flagellated bacteria. These mice were characterized by higher expression of genes involved in cell-cell interactions (Npl, Epcam) and responses to infection (Ctsl) in enterocytes and enhanced translation (ribosomal proteins) in stem cells. In contrast, genes involved in lipid homeostasis (transport and metabolism; Apoc 2/4, Dgat2, Fabp 1/2, Mttp) in all cell types and inflammatory and androgen-related pathways in specialized cell types were less expressed in epithelial cells exposed to wildtype E. coli. Conclusion: These findings suggest that early life exposure to flagellated commensal bacteria influences cellular processes underlying tissue metabolism and remodeling in the small intestine.

Dataset Information

Low mutational load and high mutation rate variation in gut commensal bacteria.

Publications

Low mutational load and high mutation rate variation in gut commensal bacteria.

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