Ecological Importance of Cross-Feeding of the Intermediate Metabolite 1,2-Propanediol between Bacterial Gut Symbionts

Abstract

Through experiments in gnotobiotic mice that employed isogenic mutants of bacterial strains that produce ( Bifidobacterium breve ) and utilize ( Lactobacillus reuteri ) 1,2-propanediol, this study provides mechanistic insight into the ecological ramifications of a trophic interaction between gut symbionts. The findings improve our understanding on how cross-feeding influences the competitive fitness of L. reuteri in the vertebrate gut and revealed a putative selective force that shaped the evolution of the species. The findings are relevant since they provide a basis to design rational microbial-based strategies to modulate gut ecosystems, which could employ mixtures of bacterial strains that establish trophic interactions or a personalized approach based on the ability of a resident microbiota to provide resources for the incoming microbe.