title: Comparative genomics analysis of Lactobacillus species associated with weight gain or weight protection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some Lactobacillus species are associated with obesity and weight gain while others are associated with weight loss. Lactobacillus spp. and bifidobacteria represent a major bacterial population of the small intestine where lipids and simple carbohydrates are absorbed, particularly in the duodenum and jejunum. The objective of this study was to identify Lactobacillus spp. proteins involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism associated with weight modifications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined a total of 13 complete genomes belonging to seven different Lactobacillus spp. previously associated with weight gain or weight protection. We combined the data obtained from the Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology, Batch CD-Search and Gene Ontology to classify gene function in each genome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed major differences between the two groups of genomes. Weight gain-associated Lactobacillus spp. appear to lack enzymes involved in the catabolism of fructose, defense against oxidative stress and the synthesis of dextrin, L-rhamnose and acetate. Weight protection-associated Lactobacillus spp. encoded a significant gene amount of glucose permease. Regarding lipid metabolism, thiolases were only encoded in the genome of weight gain-associated Lactobacillus spp. In addition, we identified 18 different types of bacteriocins in the studied genomes, and weight gain-associated Lactobacillus spp. encoded more bacteriocins than weight protection-associated Lactobacillus spp.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study revealed that weight protection-associated Lactobacillus spp. have developed defense mechanisms for enhanced glycolysis and defense against oxidative stress. Weight gain-associated Lactobacillus spp. possess a limited ability to breakdown fructose or glucose and might reduce ileal brake effects.
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Drissi
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Merhej
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Angelakis
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Kaoutari
authors.affiliation: CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Enzymologie Interfaciale et Physiologie de la Lipolyse, UMR 7282, 31 chemin Joseph Aiguier, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carrière
authors.affiliation: 1] Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France [2] Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS UMR 7257, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Henrissat
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raoult