Gut microbiome drives individual memory variation in bumblebees.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Li L
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8616916 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:<p>The potential of the gut microbiome as a driver of individual cognitive differences in natural populations of animals remains unexplored. Here, using metagenomic sequencing of individual bumblebee hindguts, we find a positive correlation between the abundance of <em>Lactobacillus</em> Firm-5 cluster and memory retention on a visual discrimination task. Supplementation with the Firm-5 species <em>Lactobacillus apis </em>(<em>L. apis</em>), but not other non-Firm-5 bacterial species, enhances bees’ memory. Untargeted metabolomics after <em>L. apis</em> supplementation show increased LPA (14:0) glycerophospholipid in the haemolymph. Oral administration of the LPA increases long-term memory significantly. Based on our findings and metagenomic/metabolomic analyses, we propose a molecular pathway for this gut-brain interaction. Our results provide insights into proximate and ultimate causes of cognitive differences in natural bumblebee populations.</p>
2021-11-16 | MTBLS3637 | MetaboLights
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2021-02-25 | GSE150091 | GEO
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