Insights from metagenomics on microbial biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 in chicken gut microbiota

IntroductionThe chicken gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in nutrient absorption and overall health, contributing to the biosynthesis of essential vitamins. However, the biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 by the whole gut microbiome, as well as their abundances across different gut regions, remains...

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Main Authors: Hai-Long Yu, Xin-Wen Hou, Ji-Xin Zhao, Guo-Hua Liu, Jin-Xin Meng, Yong-Jie Wei, Yanan Cai, Jian Liu, Kai-Meng Shang, Hong-Bo Ni, Rui Liu, He Ma, Fu-Long Nan, Xiao-Xuan Zhang, Bei-Ni Chen, Xing Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1646825/full
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author Hai-Long Yu
Hai-Long Yu
Xin-Wen Hou
Ji-Xin Zhao
Guo-Hua Liu
Jin-Xin Meng
Jin-Xin Meng
Yong-Jie Wei
Yanan Cai
Jian Liu
Kai-Meng Shang
Hong-Bo Ni
Rui Liu
He Ma
Fu-Long Nan
Xiao-Xuan Zhang
Bei-Ni Chen
Xing Yang
author_facet Hai-Long Yu
Hai-Long Yu
Xin-Wen Hou
Ji-Xin Zhao
Guo-Hua Liu
Jin-Xin Meng
Jin-Xin Meng
Yong-Jie Wei
Yanan Cai
Jian Liu
Kai-Meng Shang
Hong-Bo Ni
Rui Liu
He Ma
Fu-Long Nan
Xiao-Xuan Zhang
Bei-Ni Chen
Xing Yang
author_sort Hai-Long Yu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe chicken gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in nutrient absorption and overall health, contributing to the biosynthesis of essential vitamins. However, the biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 by the whole gut microbiome, as well as their abundances across different gut regions, remains largely unknown.MethodsWe employed both metagenomic sequencing and culture-based techniques, collecting a total of 25,825 genomes (25,764 metagenome-assembled genomes and 61 isolated genomes). After quality assessment and average nucleotide identity (ANI), 13,734 genomes were retained for downstream analysis.ResultsWhole-genome clustering analysis identified 2,675 species-level genome bins (SGBs), predominantly from the phyla Bacillota, Bacteroidota, Pseudomonadota, and Actinomycetota. A gene catalog comprising 9.69 million genes revealed that 195,517 genes are involved in the biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2, exhibiting significant regional variation. The large intestine exhibited greater species richness and evenness compared to the small intestine. From the 13,734 genomes, we discovered 3,063 high-quality ones capable of synthesizing at least one vitamin. Genomic analysis revealed that a mere 8.2% of genomes were capable of producing five or more vitamins, while almost half were limited to synthesizing just one. Comparative genomics of cobalamin (B12) biosynthesis highlighted the predominance of the anaerobic pathway. Additionally, changes in microbial abundance were observed, such as increased abundance of the genera Phocaeicola and Faecalibacterium during bacterial infections, and Limisoma during parasitic infections.DiscussionThis study provides detailed metagenomic insights into the capacity of chicken gut microbiome for vitamins B and K2 biosynthesis, revealing significant regional and taxonomic variations. These results suggest a collaborative microbial effort in vitamin biosynthesis, with potential implications for optimizing poultry health and nutrition through targeted microbial interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-6c05f2a7e711459f9c81d8df92b7ebca2025-08-20T03:04:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-08-011210.3389/fvets.2025.16468251646825Insights from metagenomics on microbial biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 in chicken gut microbiotaHai-Long Yu0Hai-Long Yu1Xin-Wen Hou2Ji-Xin Zhao3Guo-Hua Liu4Jin-Xin Meng5Jin-Xin Meng6Yong-Jie Wei7Yanan Cai8Jian Liu9Kai-Meng Shang10Hong-Bo Ni11Rui Liu12He Ma13Fu-Long Nan14Xiao-Xuan Zhang15Bei-Ni Chen16Xing Yang17Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaResearch Center for Parasites and Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, ChinaDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, ChinaIntroductionThe chicken gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in nutrient absorption and overall health, contributing to the biosynthesis of essential vitamins. However, the biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 by the whole gut microbiome, as well as their abundances across different gut regions, remains largely unknown.MethodsWe employed both metagenomic sequencing and culture-based techniques, collecting a total of 25,825 genomes (25,764 metagenome-assembled genomes and 61 isolated genomes). After quality assessment and average nucleotide identity (ANI), 13,734 genomes were retained for downstream analysis.ResultsWhole-genome clustering analysis identified 2,675 species-level genome bins (SGBs), predominantly from the phyla Bacillota, Bacteroidota, Pseudomonadota, and Actinomycetota. A gene catalog comprising 9.69 million genes revealed that 195,517 genes are involved in the biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2, exhibiting significant regional variation. The large intestine exhibited greater species richness and evenness compared to the small intestine. From the 13,734 genomes, we discovered 3,063 high-quality ones capable of synthesizing at least one vitamin. Genomic analysis revealed that a mere 8.2% of genomes were capable of producing five or more vitamins, while almost half were limited to synthesizing just one. Comparative genomics of cobalamin (B12) biosynthesis highlighted the predominance of the anaerobic pathway. Additionally, changes in microbial abundance were observed, such as increased abundance of the genera Phocaeicola and Faecalibacterium during bacterial infections, and Limisoma during parasitic infections.DiscussionThis study provides detailed metagenomic insights into the capacity of chicken gut microbiome for vitamins B and K2 biosynthesis, revealing significant regional and taxonomic variations. These results suggest a collaborative microbial effort in vitamin biosynthesis, with potential implications for optimizing poultry health and nutrition through targeted microbial interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1646825/fullvitamins B and K2chicken gut microbiomemetagenomic analysiscobalaminpathogen infection
spellingShingle Hai-Long Yu
Hai-Long Yu
Xin-Wen Hou
Ji-Xin Zhao
Guo-Hua Liu
Jin-Xin Meng
Jin-Xin Meng
Yong-Jie Wei
Yanan Cai
Jian Liu
Kai-Meng Shang
Hong-Bo Ni
Rui Liu
He Ma
Fu-Long Nan
Xiao-Xuan Zhang
Bei-Ni Chen
Xing Yang
Insights from metagenomics on microbial biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 in chicken gut microbiota
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
vitamins B and K2
chicken gut microbiome
metagenomic analysis
cobalamin
pathogen infection
title Insights from metagenomics on microbial biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 in chicken gut microbiota
title_full Insights from metagenomics on microbial biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 in chicken gut microbiota
title_fullStr Insights from metagenomics on microbial biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 in chicken gut microbiota
title_full_unstemmed Insights from metagenomics on microbial biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 in chicken gut microbiota
title_short Insights from metagenomics on microbial biosynthesis of vitamins B and K2 in chicken gut microbiota
title_sort insights from metagenomics on microbial biosynthesis of vitamins b and k2 in chicken gut microbiota
topic vitamins B and K2
chicken gut microbiome
metagenomic analysis
cobalamin
pathogen infection
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1646825/full
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