bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 21, 2025

Flavonifractor plautii , a prevalent gut commensal, uniquely combines flavonoid degradation with the capacity to produce health-promoting short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), notably butyrate and propionate. However, its metabolic pathways, ecological roles, health impacts remain poorly characterized. To explore probiotic potential functions, we developed genome-scale model (GEM), iFP655 using automated reconstruction, deep-learning-based gap-filling, thermodynamic constraints, transcriptomics. The substantially improved predictions of growth rates SCFA profiles compared previous models. Simulations identified acetyl-CoA pathways as preferred route for production, whereas energetically costly lysine pathway remained inactive despite robust gene expression. Propionate synthesis occurred primarily via methylmalonyl-CoA pathway. Community modeling representative species Western minimal microbiota highlighted F. 's contributions enhanced especially butyrate, amino acid metabolism, syntrophic interactions driven by dietary substrates. Our findings indicate that diet-driven syntrophy significantly shapes microbial community structure function, underscoring importance in highlighting candidate beneficially modulate through interventions.

Language: Английский