Insights on the Evolutionary Genomics of the Blautia Genus: Potential New Species and Genetic Content Among Lineages

Abstract

Blautia, a genus established in 2008, is a relevantly abundant taxonomic group present in the microbiome of human and other mammalian gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. Several described (or proposed) Blautia species are available at this date. However, despite the increasing level of knowledge about Blautia, its diversity is still poorly understood. The increasing availability of Blautia genomic sequences in the public databases opens the possibility to study this genus from a genomic perspective. Here we report the pangenome analysis and the phylogenomic study of 225 Blautia genomes available in RefSeq. We found 33 different potential species at the genomic level, 17 of them previously undescribed; we also confirmed by genomic standards the status of 4 previously proposed new Blautia species. Comparative genomic analyses suggest that the Blautia pangenome is open, with a relatively small core genome (∼ 700–800 gene families). Utilizing a set of representative genomes, we performed a gene family gain/loss model for the genus, showing that despite terminal nodes suffered more massive gene gain events than internal nodes (i.e., predicted ancestors), some ancestors were predicted to have gained an important number of gene families, some of them associated with the possible acquisition of metabolic abilities. Gene loss events remained lower than gain events in most cases. General aspects regarding pangenome composition and gene gain/loss events are discussed, as well as the proposition of changes in the taxonomic assignment of B. coccoidesTY and the proposition of a new species, “B. pseudococcoides.”

RGI-Type Pectic Polysaccharides Modulate Gut Microbiota in a Molecular Weight-Dependent Manner In Vitro

“…Compared with the blank 24 h group, all samples could selectively promote the growth of Bacteroides, Megasphaera, Blautia, Agathobacter, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and so forth, and inhibit the expansion of Fusobacterium and Faecalibacterium. It found that Bacteroides, Megasphaera, and so forth were principally involved in carbohydrate fermentation and metabolism, which could explain the enrichment of these bacteria. , In addition, studies have reported that Blautia can regulate obesity and type 2 diabetes, while Agathobacter was symbiotic with Bifidobacterium, making it possible for them to obtain more acetate for producing butyrate. , Interestingly, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are traditional probiotics, were enriched in all groups, although the RGI and DRGI groups were not as abundant as the traditional prebiotic (inulin and FOS) groups. The results showed that molecular weight had a considerable contribution to the regulation of intestinal flora.…”

“…51,52 In addition, studies have reported that Blautia can regulate obesity and type 2 diabetes, while Agathobacter was symbiotic with Bifidobacterium, making it possible for them to obtain more acetate for producing butyrate. 53,54 Interestingly, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are traditional probiotics, were enriched in all groups, although the RGI and DRGI groups were not as abundant as the traditional prebiotic (inulin and FOS) groups. The results showed that molecular weight had a considerable contribution to the regulation of intestinal flora.…”

Microbial gut evaluation in an angolan paediatric population with sickle cell disease

“…Members of the taxonomic genus Blautia have a major impact on human health, due to their role in indigestible carbohydrate degradation and production of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which act as metabolic mediators between the microbiota and the host 24 . This bacteria is dominant in a healthy gastrointestinal tract, representing between 2% and 8% of the human gut microbiota, and has a correlation with several host physiological dysfunctions, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and inflammatory diseases 24,25 . For example, it has been shown that its abundance is reduced in children with type 1 diabetes and in patients with colorectal cancer 26 .…”

“…24 This bacteria is dominant in a healthy gastrointestinal tract, representing between 2% and 8% of the human gut microbiota, and has a correlation with several host physiological dysfunctions, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and inflammatory diseases. 24,25 For example, it has been shown that its abundance is reduced in children with type 1…”

Design, Biological Evaluation, and Computer-Aided Analysis of Dihydrothiazepines as Selective Antichlamydial Agents

“…78 Further, both species are widely used as probiotic strains. 78,79 To further determine the antibacterial activity against bacteria that comprise the human gut microbiota, we tested our compound against B. producta, 80 C. ramosum, 81 B. thetaiotaomicron, 82 A. caccae, 83 and E. coli MG1655. Compound 5a was completely inactive against all species tested up to the highest concentration evaluated.…”