Gut microbes, including Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, play a crucial role in human health by breaking down complex carbohydrates during digestion. However, these microbes can also promote infections when the gut microbiota is disrupted, such as after antibiotic treatment. A new study published in Nature Microbiology aims to shed light on the molecular mechanisms that allow Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to adapt to changing conditions in the gut.
The study, led by Alexander Westermann of the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, mapped transcription units and profiled their expression under different experimental conditions. By comparing this gene expression information with literature-derived fitness data from genetically engineered bacterial variants, the researchers were able to gain a holistic view of the regulatory networks and the functional role of small RNAs (sRNAs) in bacterial adaptation.
The team identified a specific sRNA molecule, MasB, that influences the bacterium's sensitivity to tetracycline antibiotics. This discovery reveals a previously uncharacterized regulatory mechanism and provides insights into the influence of antibiotic treatments on members of the microbiota. The findings could lead to the development of new strategies for preventing antibiotic-induced collateral damage to beneficial bacteria and improving therapeutics.
The comprehensive transcriptome atlas generated by the study is publicly available through the web browser "Theta-Base," offering a valuable resource for further exploration of sRNAs and their functions in the context of the gut microbiota.