This study identified pBI143, a cryptic plasmid ubiquitous in industrialized gut microbiomes, exceeding the abundance of crAssphage, previously considered the most abundant genetic element. Strong purifying selection maintains pBI143's sequence, with monoclonality in individuals likely due to priority effects, often inherited maternally. While not impacting bacterial fitness in vivo, pBI143 can acquire additional genetic content and has potential applications in fecal contamination detection and as a biomarker for colonic inflammation.
Publisher
bioRxiv
Published On
Mar 25, 2023
Authors
Emily C Fogarty, Matthew S Schechter, Karen Lolans, Madeline L Sheahan, Iva Veseli, Ryan Moore, Evan Kiefl, Thomas Moody, Phoebe A Rice, Michael K Yu, Mark Mimee, Eugene B Chang, Sandra L McLellan, Amy D Willis, Laurie E Comstock, A Murat Eren
Tags
pBI143
cryptic plasmid
gut microbiome
fecal contamination
colonic inflammation
genetic content
purifying selection
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