This study investigates the metabolic interactions between gut microbes and their impact on host behavior and reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster. Using isotope-resolved metabolomics, the researchers demonstrate a syntrophic relationship between Acetobacter pomorum (Ap) and Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) enabling them to overcome nutritional deficiencies in imbalanced diets. Ap utilizes lactate produced by Lp to synthesize essential amino acids, supporting Lp growth. Lactate is shown to be necessary and sufficient for Ap to influence the fly's protein appetite. The Ap/Lp community enhances reproduction, highlighting the importance of metabolic interactions in maintaining microbiome resilience and influencing host physiology.

Sílvia F. Henriques, Darshan B. Dhakan, Lúcia Serra, Ana Patrícia Francisco, Zita Carvalho-Santos, Célia Baltazar, Ana Paula Elias, Margarida Anjos, Tong Zhang, Oliver D. K. Maddocks, Carlos Ribeiro