The bacterium Segatella copri is a prevalent member of the human gut microbiota associated with health and disease states. However, the intrinsic factors that determine its ability to colonize the gut effectively remain largely unknown. By extensive transcriptome mapping of S. copri and examining human-derived samples, we discover a small RNA, which we name Segatella RNA colonization factor (SrcF), and show that SrcF is essential for S. copri gut colonization in gnotobiotic mice. SrcF regulates genes involved in nutrient acquisition, and complex carbohydrates, particularly fructans, control its expression. Furthermore, SrcF expression is strongly influenced by human microbiome composition and by the breakdown of fructans by cohabitating commensals, suggesting that the breakdown of complex carbohydrates mediates interspecies signaling among commensals beyond its established function in generating energy. Together, this study highlights the contribution of a small RNA as a critical regulator in gut colonization.

中文翻译：

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人类共生 Segatella copri 的 RNA 景观揭示了肠道定植所必需的小 RNA


细菌 Segatella copri 是人类肠道微生物群中与健康和疾病状态相关的普遍成员。然而，决定其有效定植肠道能力的内在因素在很大程度上仍然未知。通过对 S. copri 进行广泛的转录组定位并检查人类来源的样本，我们发现了一个小 RNA，我们将其命名为 Segatella RNA 定植因子 （SrcF），并表明 SrcF 对 S. copri 肠道在 gnotobiotic 小鼠中的定植至关重要。SrcF 调节参与营养获取的基因，复合碳水化合物，尤其是果聚糖，控制其表达。此外，SrcF 表达受到人类微生物组组成和共居共生体分解果聚糖的强烈影响，这表明复杂碳水化合物的分解介导共生体之间的种间信号传导，超出了其产生能量的既定功能。总之，这项研究强调了小 RNA 作为肠道定植关键调节因子的贡献。