title: Evaluation of genetic diversity among strains of the human gut commensal Bifidobacterium adolescentis.
abstract: Bifidobacteria are members of the human gut microbiota, being numerically dominant in the colon of infants, while also being prevalent in the large intestine of adults. In this study, we determined and analyzed the pan-genome of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, which is one of many bacteria found in the human adult gut microbiota. In silico analysis of the genome sequences of eighteen B. adolescentis strains isolated from various environments, such as human milk, human feces and bovine rumen, revealed a high level of genetic variability, resulting in an open pan-genome. Compared to other bifidobacterial taxa such as Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium breve, the more extensive B. adolescentis pan-genome supports the hypothesis that the genetic arsenal of this taxon expanded so as to become more adaptable to the variable and changing ecological niche of the gut. These increased genetic capabilities are particularly evident for genes required for dietary glycan-breakdown.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duranti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Milani
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele Andrea
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lugli
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mancabelli
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turroni
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrario
authors.affiliation: GenProbio srl, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mangifesta
authors.affiliation: GenProbio srl, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viappiani
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia y Bioquimica de Productos Lacteos, IPLA - CSIC, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
authors.forename: Borja
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia y Bioquimica de Productos Lacteos, IPLA - CSIC, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
authors.forename: Abelardo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margolles
authors.affiliation: APC Microbiome Institute and School of Microbiology, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Douwe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Sinderen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ventura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000070005:Bifidobacterium adolescentis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000737:chemistry; D002417:Cattle; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004032:Diet; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry; D012417:Rumen / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D011134:Polysaccharides